Oxford University – Omicron: There is no evidence that vaccines do not protect against serious disease

There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent serious disease from the new Omicron variant of coronavirus, the University of Oxford announced today, but notes that it intends to rapidly develop an updated version of the vaccine created with AstraZeneca, if necessary.

Earlier today, the CEO of Moderna said that vaccines against COVID-19 are unlikely to be as effective against the new Omicron variant, causing upheaval in global markets.

The University of Oxford has announced that there is limited data on Omicron so far and will carefully assess the impact of this variant on its vaccine, echoing a statement issued by AstraZeneca last week.

“Despite the emergence of new strains (of coronavirus) over the past year, vaccines have continued to provide very high levels of protection against serious disease and there is no evidence so far that Omicron is different,” the university said in a statement. issued.

“However, we have the necessary tools and procedures to rapidly develop an updated COVID-19 vaccine if necessary,” the University of Oxford said in a statement.

SOURCE: AMPE