Omicron: The next pandemic is here
November 30, 2021
By Ryan M. Thomas
Omicron: The next pandemic is here
The world awoke to the news of the new Omicron Variant. As news spread warning of greater transmissibility, stock markets fell, and countries closed their doors to several African nations where Omicron had already spread.
In Europe, the situation was already dire. In mid-November, COVID cases had already skyrocketed to new all-time highs and on November 22nd, Austria imposed a nationwide lockdown. Several other European countries followed suit and imposed greater restrictions, curfews, and new vaccine mandates.
Germany, despite 70% of their population being vaccinated, is now seeing case levels 3x as high as pre-vaccine levels.
Despite the availability of first generation vaccines and therapeutics, 2021 has seen deaths increase from 2020, and as the Northern Hemisphere enters winter, we brace for a 5th COVID wave.
Today, Moderna CEO, Stéphane Bancel, admitted that first generation vaccines will not protect well against Omicron and that new vaccines will likely be necessary.
Social unrest and anger continues to grow in many countries that have endured lockdowns, restrictions, and now the failure of first generation vaccines to stop the spread of the virus.
The CDC is now recommending a third booster shot (based on the original Wuhan Variant) for everybody, but evidence is beginning to emerge that these first generation vaccines will offer little protection against Omicron and future variants.
On the positive side, Eyam continues to advance trials and are currently incorporating the new Omicron sequencing into our pan-coronavirus vaccines to make them even more robust and effective to stop infection and prevent transmission.
Omicron: The next pandemic is here
November 30, 2021
By Ryan M. Thomas
Omicron: The next pandemic is here
The world awoke to the news of the new Omicron Variant. As news spread warning of greater transmissibility, stock markets fell, and countries closed their doors to several African nations where Omicron had already spread.
In Europe, the situation was already dire. In mid-November, COVID cases had already skyrocketed to new all-time highs and on November 22nd, Austria imposed a nationwide lockdown. Several other European countries followed suit and imposed greater restrictions, curfews, and new vaccine mandates.
Germany, despite 70% of their population being vaccinated, is now seeing case levels 3x as high as pre-vaccine levels.
Despite the availability of first generation vaccines and therapeutics, 2021 has seen deaths increase from 2020, and as the Northern Hemisphere enters winter, we brace for a 5th COVID wave.
Today, Moderna CEO, Stéphane Bancel, admitted that first generation vaccines will not protect well against Omicron and that new vaccines will likely be necessary.
Social unrest and anger continues to grow in many countries that have endured lockdowns, restrictions, and now the failure of first generation vaccines to stop the spread of the virus.
The CDC is now recommending a third booster shot (based on the original Wuhan Variant) for everybody, but evidence is beginning to emerge that these first generation vaccines will offer little protection against Omicron and future variants.
On the positive side, Eyam continues to advance trials and are currently incorporating the new Omicron sequencing into our pan-coronavirus vaccines to make them even more robust and effective to stop infection and prevent transmission.
