The possibility of needing the administration of a 4th vaccine dose to the general population to be protected from the Omicron variant, expressed to SKAI and the show “Today”, the professor of Microbiology Athanasios Tsakris.
This possibility is being considered, as he mentioned, by the pharmaceutical companies, however, he stressed that we need much more experimental data to know how the variant will behave. “The specially formulated vaccine, if needed, can be prepared in a short time. However, the clinical data are needed in order for the green light to be given in time for its administration, the information we have is that this whole process will take 2-3 months “, he added
He stressed that it is possible that Omicron has already visited our country, as he explained that these variants are produced de novo (again) in different geographical areas, ie they are not just transferred from country to country but are already born. “Many mutations, very likely to prevail, all viruses like the coronavirus have the ability to mutate,” he added.
Particularly crucial, he said, will be whether the mutant strain is more pathogenic, based on the clinical data that will emerge next.
Finally, he expressed the need to speed up the 3rd dose, pointing out that it would be better to do it in 4 months as after this period the immune response begins and decreases.
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