Pfizer and BioNTech Develop Vaccine for Omicron

Pfizer and BioNTech Vaccine for Omicron Pfizer and BioNTech announced that clinical trials of their newly developed Omicron-specific vaccine have begun with volunteer participants in the 18-55 age group. American pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German biotechnology firm BioNTech announced that they have begun clinical trials of a new vaccine developed against Omicron. The study will be administered to 1,420 adults in the 18-55 age group in the form of an initial dose and a booster dose, allowing the vaccine to be evaluated in terms of safety, tolerability and immune response. Study Will Proceed in 3 Groups The new vaccine study will be examined in 3 groups. Volunteers in the first group, who received 2 doses of BioNTech vaccine at least 90-180 days before the study, will be administered one or 2 doses of the vaccine in development. Volunteers in the second group will have received 3 doses of BioNTech vaccine at least 90-180 days before the study and will receive one dose of the vaccine specially prepared for Omicron. The group consisting of people who have never been vaccinated against Covid-19 will receive 3 doses from the new vaccine study. The newly developed Omicron-specific vaccine will be administered in 30 microgram doses, like the current vaccines. "We Must Be Prepared for Potential Future Mutations" Kathrin Jansen, Senior Vice President at Pfizer and Head of Vaccine Research and Development: "Current research and data show that booster doses continue to provide high levels of protection against serious illness and hospitalization due to Omicron. However, we must still be prepared for situations where this protection may diminish over time and for potential future mutations. If an Omicron-specific vaccine becomes necessary, we will produce it. But of course we must discuss the implications with health authorities and obtain their approval before vaccine distribution," she said. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said last month that if a new vaccine becomes necessary for the Omicron variant, a new vaccine could be available in March.