But the testing could show that existing shots "protect less," which would mean "that we need to create a new vaccine," Bourla said. Johnson & Johnson also said on Monday that it is "pursuing an Omicron-specific variant vaccine and will progress it as needed." On Friday, Moderna, another leading Covid-19 vaccine maker, said it was developing a booster shot against the new variant. The current vaccine is "very effective" against Delta, the executive said, adding that the companies expect to be able to produce four billion vaccine doses in 2022. On Monday, the World Health Organization warned the new Covid-19 Omicron variant poses a "very high" risk globally.

Source: Dhaka Tribune November 30, 2021 10:40 UTC