Oxford university and AstraZeneca have begun work to produce an Omicron-targeted version of their coronavirus vaccine, joining the ranks of their peers who are studying the potential for adapting formulations of their shots in case they become necessary to tackle the variant.
When asked about Omicron, Sandy Douglas, a research group leader at Oxford, told the Financial Times: “Like with many previous variants of concern, and together with our partners AstraZeneca, we have taken preliminary steps in producing an updated vaccine in case it is needed.”
He said: “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.”