Are Boosters Another Shot In The Dark?
BioSpectrum Asia|BioSpectrum Asia Jan 2022
Omicron and newer emerging variants have been portrayed as a cause of concern globally as several low and middle-income countries have not been able to immunise their citizens due to the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines. Notably, it was in the double-vaccinated South African individuals that the Omicron variant was first discovered. The COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) had promised two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021 to a total of 92 low-and middle-income countries that are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX mechanism. But, it has managed to deliver only about 95 million doses as developed nations hoarded surplus doses of the vaccines. Approximately 75 per cent of the 4.5 billion first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that were rolled out, went to affluent countries. Can emerging variants make vaccine inequity a bigger challenge than it already is? Let's unravel.
Prabhat Prakash
Are Boosters Another Shot In The Dark?

2021 saw the approval of various vaccines and drugs for the treatment of COVID-19, in the new year, we are faced with another mutation of the COVID-19 virus, Omicron that is spreading rapidly across the globe. Omicron as per early research data is capable of escaping the immune response of vaccines adding fuel to the ever-increasing reasoning behind the need for booster doses to help maintain the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines against severe infection and death.

So far approximately 89 countries have reported cases of Omicron with the United Kingdom reporting 12 deaths due to the variant. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 cases are doubling every 1.5-3 days in countries that are dealing with community transmission of the variant. The growth advantage that Omicron has over the Delta variant that caused the second wave in India will soon become the most dominant variant globally.

Addressing vaccine inequity

Omicron and newer emerging variants are a cause of concern globally as several low and middle-income countries have not been able to immunise their citizens due to the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines globally. COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) promised to deliver two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021 to a total of 92 low-and middle-income countries that are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX mechanism but has managed to deliver about 95 million doses as developed nations hoarded surplus doses of the vaccines. Approximately 75 per cent of the 45 billion first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that were rolled went to the people in affluent countries, emerging variants could make vaccine inequity a bigger challenge than it already is.

Denne historien er fra BioSpectrum Asia Jan 2022-utgaven av BioSpectrum Asia.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra BioSpectrum Asia Jan 2022-utgaven av BioSpectrum Asia.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BIOSPECTRUM ASIASe alt
Promega unveils GloMax Galaxy Bioluminescence Imager for illuminating protein dynamics in real time
BioSpectrum Asia

Promega unveils GloMax Galaxy Bioluminescence Imager for illuminating protein dynamics in real time

US-based Promega Corporation, a life-sciences research partner dedicated to providing intuitive tools that empower scientists to innovate, has unveiled the new GloMax Galaxy Bioluminescence Imager.

time-read
1 min  |
BioSpectrum Asia Nov 2024
Singleron and Bioscreen to enhance access to single cell multi-omics solutions for Indian researchers
BioSpectrum Asia

Singleron and Bioscreen to enhance access to single cell multi-omics solutions for Indian researchers

Singleron Biotechnologies, a leading innovator in single cell multi-omics solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Bioscreen, a renowned distributor of advanced life science products in India.

time-read
1 min  |
BioSpectrum Asia Nov 2024
Eppendorf brings CO2 incubator shaker with integrated 180 °C sterilisation routine
BioSpectrum Asia

Eppendorf brings CO2 incubator shaker with integrated 180 °C sterilisation routine

Eppendorf has announced the launch of a CO2 incubator shaker with integrated 180 °C sterilisation routine.

time-read
1 min  |
BioSpectrum Asia Nov 2024
Waters introduces new bioseparations tools to improve development of RNA-based vaccines using LC-MS analysis
BioSpectrum Asia

Waters introduces new bioseparations tools to improve development of RNA-based vaccines using LC-MS analysis

US-based Waters Corporation has introduced a comprehensive set of sample preparation enzymes, reagents, and waters_connect software that simplify sequence and modification confirmation of large molecule RNA therapeutics using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) analysis.

time-read
1 min  |
BioSpectrum Asia Nov 2024
Singapore designs novel gene therapy offering hope for epilepsy patients
BioSpectrum Asia

Singapore designs novel gene therapy offering hope for epilepsy patients

Researchers from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore are working on a therapy that holds potential in treating patients with epilepsy, a neurological disorder defined by recurring seizures due to abnormal brain activity.

time-read
1 min  |
BioSpectrum Asia Nov 2024
Spider venom heart drug moves to clinical trials in Australia
BioSpectrum Asia

Spider venom heart drug moves to clinical trials in Australia

A University of Queensland (UQ)-led project in Australia to develop the first-ever drug to treat heart attack and protect donor hearts will move to human clinical trials, after receiving $17.8 million in funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

time-read
1 min  |
BioSpectrum Asia Nov 2024
India develops portable ultrasound scanner for sports injury diagnosis
BioSpectrum Asia

India develops portable ultrasound scanner for sports injury diagnosis

A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has developed an indigenous portable Point-of-CareUltrasound (POCUS) Scanner for sports injury diagnosis and management.

time-read
1 min  |
BioSpectrum Asia Nov 2024
Integris appoints medtech veteran Probir Das as new CEO
BioSpectrum Asia

Integris appoints medtech veteran Probir Das as new CEO

Integris Healthcare, a global diversified medical technology company, has announced the appointment of Probir Das as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will join effective November 2024 and will be based in New Delhi.

time-read
1 min  |
BioSpectrum Asia Nov 2024
Clarity Pharma promotes Michelle Parker to CEO
BioSpectrum Asia

Clarity Pharma promotes Michelle Parker to CEO

Australia-based Clarity Pharmaceuticals has announced the appointment of Michelle Parker as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from October 11, 2024.

time-read
1 min  |
BioSpectrum Asia Nov 2024
Dr Makoto Sugita steps in as President of Nxera Pharma Japan
BioSpectrum Asia

Dr Makoto Sugita steps in as President of Nxera Pharma Japan

Nxera Pharma Co., formerly known as Sosei Group or Sosei Heptares, has announced the appointment of Dr Makoto Sugita, as President of Nxera Pharma Japan, and Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Nxera Pharma.

time-read
1 min  |
BioSpectrum Asia Nov 2024