A specific Corona vaccine targeting the Omicron variant may be ready in March, one of which is made by Pfizer. However, some experts say the Omicron vaccine may be too late given that Omicron is highly contagious.
Dr. William Moss as director of the International Vaccine Access Center organization, assessed that the Omicron vaccine had actually been urgently needed since last December.
"This vaccine for Omicron could still be valuable but I think it's too late for the current wave of Omicron," he said.
Another expert, Dr Shaun Truelove of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health agrees with the statement. "Because this Omicron variant spreads very quickly, the vaccine may not be meaningful because everyone will get it," he said.
Currently, several countries are facing a large influx of cases of the Omicron variant. For example in the United States, more than 95% of new Corona cases are due to the Omicron variant.
If the Omicron vaccine could be available earlier, it might be efficient enough to prevent illness and protect healthcare workers. But because it spread so quickly, the Omicron vaccine could not be made in time.
Previously, it was reported that the pharmaceutical company Pfizer said the Omicron vaccine would be ready in March 2022. "This vaccine will be ready in March," Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told CNBC's "Squawk Box."
In addition, Bourla said the vaccine will target other variants that are also emerging. It remains unclear whether the Omicron vaccine is needed or how it will be used, but Pfizer will prepare multiple doses as some countries want them ready as soon as possible.
