Thirteen cases of omnichron mutation have been registered in England and nine in Scotland, Health Minister Sajid Javid said during a press conference on Tuesday.
– There is a lot we do not know about this virus mutation, but researchers work day and night to find out more, Javid says.
He further says that the best thing to do is to set a third booster dose.
Javid says that the omnikron variant has given many memories of last year’s hard crown wave, but says that the big advantage now is that we have vaccines.
NHS chief Amanda Pritchard says they are doing everything they can to roll out a third dose for all Britons as soon as they reach millions of Britons. Among other things, they are considering removing the mandatory waiting time of 15 minutes after the vaccine has been set.
– We are in the most complex phase of the vaccination program. The elderly and the sick will be given priority, says Amanda Pritchard.
Oxford University said on Tuesday that they could quickly update the AstraZeneca vaccine, if needed. This is the most widely used vaccine in the UK.
“Because the omicron variant is so recent, there is little data available,” said a spokesman for Oxford University.
– Just like with all other variants, we will evaluate the impact this variant has with regard to vaccine immunity.
Earlier Tuesday, Moderna boss Stéphane Bancel stated that the vaccines provide poorer protection against omicron.
“I do not know how much, because we have to wait for data, but all the researchers I have talked to say that” this is not going to be good, “Bancel told the Financial Times, according to the news agency Reuters.
The other vaccine manufacturers have also stated that they are working hard to adapt the coronary vaccines to the new omicron variant.
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