Pfizer, BioNTech launch Omicron vaccine trial

Pfizer and BioNTech have begun enrollment for a clinical trial to test the safety and immune response of their Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine in adults aged up to 55.

According to details, Pfizer’s head of vaccine research, Kathrin Jansen, said in a statement that while current data showed that boosters against the original coronavirus strain continued to protect against severe outcomes with Omicron.

"We recognize the need to be prepared in the event this protection wanes over time and to potentially help address Omicron and new variants in the future," Kathrin said. 

Ugur Sahin, CEO of the German biotech company BioNTech, added that the protection of the original vaccine against mild and moderate Covid appeared to wane more rapidly against Omicron.

"This study is part of our science-based approach to develop a variant-based vaccine that achieves a similar level of protection against Omicron as it did with earlier variants but longer duration of protection,” the statement added.

Reportedly, the trial will involve 1,420 people aged 18-55. 

In January, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said that the vaccine that targets the Omicron variant of COVID-19 will be ready in March.

Bourla said the vaccine will also target other variants that are circulating. 

He said it is still not clear whether or not an Omicron vaccine is needed or how it would be used, but Pfizer will have some jabs ready.

Pfizer has already begun manufacturing the doses.