By Julie Steenhuysen

(Reuters] – The Omicron variant, a mutationally severed coronavirus strain, is a signal that vaccines must be developed to resist the rapid changes. Leading virologists and immunologists spoke out to Reuters.

First-generation COVID-19 vaccines attack the spike protein found on the outer surface SARS-CoV-2 viruses that infect human cells. Scientists are concerned about Omicron, which has more mutations than other variants and more than 30 of its spike.

The research to see if Omicron could evade vaccines is ongoing.

Even though the current treatments are effective at the moment, it is clear that the viral evolution has highlighted the necessity for vaccines to target the parts less susceptible to mutation.

Omicron’s data shows that Omicron…is not going away.” Dr. Larry Corey is a virologist at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and oversees the U.S.-funded COVID-19 vaccine trial. There is a dire need to develop better vaccines.

The coronavirus, which was first identified in the outbreak of the pandemic has changed several times, including to the globally predominant, more transmissible Delta virus. COVID-19 vaccines still have the ability to prevent severe illness or death.

Richard Hatchett said that the COVID-19 current vaccines “outstanding” as quick response tools. This is a statement from Richard Hatchett (CEPI), chief executive of Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. CEPI, an international group formed to prevent the spread of infectious disease, has made investments in numerous COVID-19-vaccinates.

However, it is necessary to do more research and spend money in order to reduce the risk. CEPI demanded $200 million to fund vaccines offering broad protection against SARS CoV-2 and variants of other viruses from the same family as MERS, SARS, and MERS-CoV-2. Hatchett stated that “we need to continue investing as a hedge for a future we can’t predict.”

Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist at World Health Organization, stated Friday at the Reuters Next Conference that new-generation vaccines were needed.

“We’re working hard to support that research and development,” Swaminathan said.

Many of the most effective COVID-19 vaccinations only target spike proteins, which can trigger immune reactions that are strong. These vaccines represent an early chance to prevent infection.

Most dramatic are messenger RNA vaccines (mRNA), which were initially able to protect against symptoms of COVID-19 at 95%. This was far beyond any expectations. They have brought billions to developers’ profits and increased their valuations. Pfizer (NYSE:) German Partner BioNTech Moderna (NASDAQ:).

COVID-19 vaccines, produced in China by Sinovac Biotech, state-owned Sinopharm and Sinovac Biotech, use an inactivated virus of SARS-CoV-2 instead of focusing on specific genes. Initial studies indicated that the vaccines’ antibody protection was rapid, with protection being limited for older people.

Valneva in France, a biotech company that makes a vaccine using an inactivated SARS virus-CoV-2, said in October it had outperformed AstraZeneca’s (NASDAQ:). This shot targets the spike protein.

A British study has recently shown that Valneva’s shot was the only one of seven shots to provide no immunity booster after receiving two doses Pfizer/BioNTech.

Many companies are developing new variants of existing vaccines to combat the Omicron threat. AstraZeneca stated that it has preliminary trial data for a vaccine with the Beta variant of Omicron.

“A WORTHY EFFORT”

Numerous companies and research centers have been working on broad protective vaccines. Experts warn that it could take over a year for a successful vaccine to be developed and will require generous funding.

“It’s definitely a worthy effort,” said Dr. Dan Barouch, a Harvard vaccine researcher who helped design Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:)’s COVID-19 vaccine. It isn’t the solution for Omicron …,, but it could be the answer to the next variant.

Moderna is currently researching ways to make the coronavirus more resistant to mutation. Stephen Hoge, President of Moderna said that such a vaccine requires large-scale clinical trials which can take several months.

Moderna is developing an Omicron-specific variant of its vaccine. They are also considering one that could cover up to four variants.

Hoge stated, “Realistically speaking, I don’t believe those second-generation vaccination approaches will come to fruition within the next six to twelve months.”

CEPI is providing $4.3 million to MigVax Corp, an affiliate of Israel’s Migal Galilee Research Institute, which is developing an oral vaccine, and up to $5 million to the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization. Both of these vaccines have the potential to be variant-proof and are currently in development.

CEPI has also invested up to $26million to fund research for a Gritstone Bio self-amplifying, mRNA vaccine that fights variants. Gritstone has also received support from the Gates Foundation, the U.S. Government and early stage trials are underway.

Andrew Allen, Gritstone CEO: “It is just a little foolish to believe that the vaccines we created in the first few minutes of the pandemic were the best vaccines we could make.”