Novavax Says it Could Start Making Omicron-Specific Vaccine in January

Dec 2 (Reuters) – Novavax Inc said on Thursday it could begin commercial manufacturing of a COVID-19 vaccine tailored for the Omicron coronavirus variant in January next year, while it tests whether or not its current vaccine works against the variant.

Laboratory data expected in the coming weeks will show whether antibodies from individuals who have previously received Novavax’s COVID-19 shot can neutralize the variant, according to the company.

Novavax also said it has started developing an Omicron-specific spike protein antigen and will begin laboratory tests of a new vaccine to target the variant in a few weeks.

The Omicron coronavirus variant has shaken up markets and caused global alarm over concerns about whether it could evade protection provided by widely used vaccines and prolong the public health crisis.

Other vaccine makers including Moderna and Pfizer have also begun working on Omicron-tailored COVID-19 shots.

Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine received its first emergency use approval in Indonesia in early November followed by the Philippines.

(Reporting by Amruta Khandekar; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)

Reuters

Recent Posts

Texas Supreme Court Protects Judges Who Refuse Gay Marriage on Religious Beliefs

Texas judges who decline to perform wedding…

9 hours ago

Nearly 1 Million Children Across Texas Affected by Immigration Enforcement

Thousands of children across North Texas and…

9 hours ago

City of Dallas Faces Lawsuit Over Death Star Law

The City of Dallas is facing a…

14 hours ago

Trump Says He Will “Send More Than the National Guard” to Keep Cities Safe

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump told U.S.…

1 day ago

Cornyn Backs Bill to Keep SNAP Benefits Flowing During Shutdown

Texas Senator John Cornyn is backing new…

2 days ago

Fifth Circuit Reopens Case Over West Texas A&M Drag Show Ban

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will…

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.