Vaccine companies active on the new variant: AstraZeneca, which developed CoveShield, started the study, more than 80% of the population in India got the same vaccine

After getting the new variant of Corona, not only are governments around the world alert, vaccine companies have also become active. Britain’s AstraZeneca said on Friday it is investigating the effect of its vaccine and antibody cocktail on a new variant found in South Africa. Hopefully the combination drug will work on this variant. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday named the variant with this multiple mutation as B.1.1.1.529 (Omicron).

AstraZeneca has supplied 2 billion doses of its vaccine worldwide. In India, this vaccine is available under the name Kovishield. However, in February South Africa was banned from applying its vaccine. This was done because the vaccine was less effective on patients infected with the beta variant. Most patients in South Africa were infected with this variant.

So far the vaccine is effective on all variants
AstraZeneca said in a statement that like any newly emerging variant, we are studying Omicron (B.1.1.1.529) to understand the effects of the vaccine. Research was done in Botswana and Eswatini to collect its data. The company emphasized that their vaccine has been shown to be effective against all variants of SARS CoV-2.

AstraZeneca said it has developed a vaccine platform with Oxford University to help them respond quickly to the new variant. AstraZeneca has made the corona vaccine in collaboration with Oxford. The company had earlier said that it is working on a variant vaccine that is better able to fight the beta variant.

There is a stir in the whole world after getting a new variant of Corona. As a precaution, governments have started imposing restrictions again.

Company testing antibody combination
The company has also developed an antibody cocktail. It can be used to prevent and treat corona infection. However, some scientists have raised concerns that spike protein mutations may hinder the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody drugs. AstraZeneca’s combination drug can maintain its efficacy.

We are also testing a long-term effective antibody combination against this new variant. It is expected to maintain its efficacy as it contains two powerful antibodies that act against the virus.

India will benefit if AstraZeneca’s vaccine works
If AstraZeneca’s vaccine is effective on the new variant, it will benefit India a lot. About 80% of the doses in India are from this vaccine. Crores of people have got both doses, that is, antibodies have been prepared inside them. The Serum Institute is developing the estrogenic vaccine in India.

Moderna will prepare booster dose
American pharma company Moderna said on Friday that it will prepare a booster shot against the new corona variant Omicron. Moderna said the company is working to address the new threat and will make its existing vaccine more effective against the new variant. Moderna CEO Stefan Bansel said the new variant remains a cause for concern. Against this we are engaged in preparing our strategy.