Plans to confront the “Omicron” mutant announced by companies producing Corona vaccines

Weather of Arabia - Many countries imposed travel restrictions on countries in South Africa, after the first cases of the new mutant of the Corona virus "Omicron" were detected, in an attempt to limit its spread, amid criticism of the South African country's travel ban decisions, describing it as "" strict."

The World Health Organization considered the new mutant "Omicron" a "worrisome" one because the scientific evidence that has been reached so far suggests that it has a greater ability to spread and may lead to a recurrence of the virus, but the International Organization warned against rushing to impose restrictions on travel without the presence of Scientific basis for these decisions.

It is not unusual for a virus to change or mutate over time, and a new strain of a virus is worrisome when those mutations affect things like the rate of spread, the rate of risk, and the ability to resist vaccines.

Effectiveness of vaccines to counter the new mutation

There are several questions about the effectiveness of the vaccines obtained by millions around the world in the face of the new mutation.

In a statement to the chief infectious disease expert in the United States, Anthony Fauci, he said: “While the new mutant raises the alarm, vaccines continue to prevent serious diseases,” and added: “Until the new mutant is thoroughly tested, we do not know whether it will overcome the antibodies.” Which protects us from the virus or not.

But many companies producing vaccines against the Corona virus have announced plans to confront the new mutation.

Novavax Pharmaceuticals has begun working on developing its vaccine to suit the "Omicron" mutant. The company said it hopes to have the new vaccine ready for testing and manufacturing within weeks .

Other companies developing vaccines against the Corona virus have also expressed cautious optimism about their ability to address any potential challenges caused by the new mutation.

Biontech said it can produce and ship an updated version of its anti-epidemic vaccine within 100 days , if it is discovered that the new version of the virus can overcome the immunity created by its current vaccine.

AstraZeneca is conducting studies in Botswana and Eswatini, where the new mutant also appeared, to collect data from the ground about the effectiveness of its vaccine in protecting against it.

Moderna also announced that it will develop a booster dose of its vaccine to combat the new mutation.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden again urged developers and producers of Corona vaccines to waive intellectual property rights in the wake of the announcement of the discovery of the Omicron mutant .

Biden hopes that this will help vaccines be manufactured more quickly and in more places around the world where production will not be restricted by obtaining patent rights registered on behalf of the pharmaceutical companies that develop them.

Some believe that this measure will not have the desired effect, while others believe that it takes away the advantages and financial incentives that are granted to distinguished developers.

Biden added: "The news of the new mutant makes things clearer than ever. The virus will not disappear until after a vaccination program is provided worldwide."

Read also: After the increasing rise in Corona injuries..Protect yourself and your family by following these methods to prevent infection