The scientist who invented the AstraZeneca vaccine, Dame Sarah Gilbert, warned that future pandemics could be more deadly than COVID-19. He reminded the world to be better prepared for a pandemic that could arise at any time.
“The fact is, the next pandemic could be worse. It could be more infectious, more deadly, or both,” Sarah Gilbert was quoted as saying by the BBC, Tuesday (7/12/2021).
“This is not the last time a virus threatens our lives and livelihoods,” he added.
He also said the current COVID-19 pandemic was exacerbated by limited access to vaccines in low-income countries. Meanwhile, ‘healthy and rich’ countries have received a booster or third injection of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Beware of the Omicron variant
Sarah Gilbert also warned that the presence of the Omicron variant could affect the currently available vaccines. Mutations in the spike protein of the Omicron variant are said to have increased the rate of transmission.
“There are changes that may make antibodies generated by the vaccine or by previous variants less effective at preventing Omicron infection. We have to be careful until we understand this variant and make efforts to slow its spread,” he explained.
However, Sarah Gilbert underlined that a decrease in the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing infection does not mean protection against severe symptoms and mortality is also decreased.
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