China: Research on vaccines targeting Omicron variant is accelerating

China is accelerating research and development of COVID-19 vaccines targeting the Omicron variant, a health official said today amid concerns among scientists around the world that it could spread faster than other strains.

To date, no case of the Omicron variant has been detected in mainland China.

“We are rapidly researching and developing vaccines specifically for Omicron based on different technologies,” Zheng Jongwei, who heads the team tasked with developing the COVID-19 vaccine in China, told state-run CCTV. .

The possible vaccines against Omicron may not be used in the end, but it was necessary for China to make this kind of preparation, Zheng said.

“There is no strong evidence yet whether Omicron escapes vaccine immunity but most available vaccines are expected to help reduce serious illness and death,” he added.

Chinese vaccine company Sinovac Biotech has announced that it is considering whether its vaccines are effective against Omicron or whether it needs to develop new drugs.

China has not yet approved COVID-19 vaccines developed abroad and uses several home-made preparations for its population immunization program.

SOURCE: AMPE