The German Laboratory BioNTech urgently study the efficacy of the covid-19 vaccine that he developed with Pfizer to see if it protects against new variant B.1.1.529 detected in South Africa.
“We expect more data from laboratory tests in two weeks at the most,” said a spokesman.
“These data will provide more information on whether B.1.1.529 could be a variant that might require adjustment of our vaccine if the variant spreads globally,” he added.
The detection of this new variant by South African scientists has sparked global alarm, amid concerns that their numerous mutations can make it even more dangerous than the Delta variant, highly contagious.
Following the announcement, several countries – including the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany – decided close its doors to travelers from various southern African states.
According to BioNTech, the B.1.1.529 variant “clearly differs from the already known variants because it has additional mutations in the spike protein.”
“Pfizer and BioNTech prepared several months ago to adjust their vaccine in less than six weeks and deliver the first doses in 100 days” if a variant proved resistant, the laboratory spokesperson stressed.
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