AstraZeneca, Oxford aim to develop Omicron-targeted vaccine

Together with Oxford University, we have taken preliminary steps in producing an Omicron variant vaccine, in case it is needed and will be informed by emerging data

, a spokesperson for the company said in a statement, Reuters reported.

Oxford did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside business hours.

The Financial Times first reported the news, citing Sandy Douglas, a research group leader at Oxford, as saying that an updated vaccine could be used to “respond to any new variant more rapidly” than previously believed.

Adenovirus-based vaccines [such as that made by Oxford/AstraZeneca] could in principle be used to respond to any new variant more rapidly than some may previously have realised. [They have] really important advantages, especially where need and logistical challenges are greatest,

he said.

A lab-study last week found that AstraZeneca's antibody cocktail Evusheld retained neutralising activity against the Omicron variant.

Vaccine makers Pfizer/BioNTech, and Moderna also previously said they were working on Omicron- specific COVID-19 vaccines. Moderna said hopes to start clinical trials early next year.

Researchers at Imperial College London published a study last week indicating a booster shot could provide up to 80% protection against the Omicron variant.

The modelling, which involved both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines, showed vaccine effectiveness of between 0% and 20% after two doses, and between 55% and 80% after a booster dose. The study was based on limited information on Omicron.

The Guardian cited Imperial researcher Prof Azra Ghani as saying that: “One remaining uncertainty is how severe the disease caused by the Omicron variant is compared to disease caused by previous variants."

Whilst it may take several weeks to fully understand this, governments will need to put in place plans now to mitigate any potential impact. Our results demonstrate the importance of delivering booster doses as part of the wider public health response.

“Prioritising these boosters to high-risk populations over primary vaccination in younger age groups should be part of this response in countries where dose supply is limited.”

Recent analysis by the UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicates that a booster offers significantly improved protection against symptomatic infection from the new variant when compared with just two doses.

Whereas two Covid jabs do not offer strong protection against symptomatic infection from Omicron, those who have received a booster jab remain up to 70% protected.

Cover photo: Getty Images.