COVID-19: Russia creates vaccine against three types of Omicron
Director of the Russian National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after N.F. Gamaleya, Alexander Gintsburg, announced creation of a vaccine against three new types of Omicron. The media report.
According to the scientist, the new vaccine based on the Sputnik V platform is able to protect against Omicron species BA.1, BA.2, BA.5.
«The platform has been created, the issue of regulation is to be resolved — it is not clear how the trials will be carried out. According to the current rules, the trials will take 5-6 months. But a new strain will appear during this time,» Alexander Gintsburg said.
He noted that the ability of Sputnik V vaccine to neutralize the BA.5 Omicron subspecies fell tenfold. Therefore, it is proposed to shorten the registration procedure to one month by documenting the antigenic strain instead of a new vaccine. Alexander Gintsburg also said that he had already been vaccinated with the new vaccine.
Previously, Indian scientists reported discovery of a new, more infectious strain of Omicron. It was discovered during DNA research and named BA-2.75. This strain has a high transmission rate and infects people who already have antibodies and those who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
