ASTRAZENECA and Oxford are set to start working on a Covid jab designed to bust the Omicron strain causing a massive rise in cases.
Top scientists are in the early stages of creating an “updated vaccine” that works best against the highly mutated new variant ripping through Britain.
It comes as a further 90,629 Covid cases were reported across the UK on Monday – 15,363 of which were Omicron infections.
Boris Johnson has urged Brits to get their booster jab now to stem the surge and protect their friends and loved ones at Christmas.
But research has suggested that the immunity given by two doses of the current Oxford-AstraZeneca jab begins to wane in three months.
And other research has suggested that double-jabbed Brits don’t produce enough antibodies to fight Omicron due to it’s mutations.
But the antibody total increases when a third jab is given, making it more vital than ever for vaccine volunteers to sign up to Trending In The News’s Jabs Army campaign.
Research group leader at Oxford Sandy Douglas told the Financial Times that the “preliminary steps in producing an updated vaccine” have been taken” in case it is needed”.
He stressed the same work was carried out for other strains, adding: “Adenovirus-based vaccines [such as that made by Oxford/AstraZeneca] could in principle be used to respond to any new variant more rapidly than some may previously have realised.
“[They have] really important advantages, especially where need and logistical challenges are greatest.”
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It comes amid fears that Brits who earlier tested positive for the Delta Covid variant but aren’t jabbed “have very little protection against Omicron”.
Top docs measured the antibody response of volunteers who had previously tested positive for the Delta strain.
When the new and highly infectious Omicron variant was introduced to the blood, just one in seven people made enough antibodies to attack and neutralise it.
It means that having a previous infection alone doesn’t help fight against Omicron, the Austrian scientists said.
The Medical University of Innsbruck study – which did not take into account T cell and B cell immunity due to them being difficult to measure – did say that having had the Delta strain and being double jabbed makes Brits “super immune”.
Of the samples of blood taken from jab-free people who previously had the Delta variant, just one in seven were able to deem Omicron – a more mutated strain – a threat.
The blood of people who had survived Delta and then got double jabbed fared much better.
Their antibody responses were around four times better than people who were double jabbed but infection-free.
Brits who got a jab then became infected with Covid fared twice as well as those who dodged a positive test all together, scientists found.
Infection-free people with two Pfizer jabs appeared to do better against Omicron than those with two AstraZeneca vaccines.
Out of 20 Pfizer-jabbed samples, nine people produced enough antibodies to combat Omicron – compared to zero out of 20 AstraZeneca.
‘SUPER IMMUNE’
Reacting to the study, microbiology professor Lawrence Young from the University of Warwick said it suggested Omicron may be able to dodge vaccine protection.
He told MailOnline: “This paper with small numbers of samples confirms data from previous studies and further emphasises the immune-evasive properties of the Omicron variant.”
But he stressed that while it may be risky to make assumptions based on the study, all Brits should get their booster jabs.
It comes as Boris Johnson confirmed there is “not enough data” for another lockdown yet – but fresh restrictions could be imposed after Christmas.
After weeks of uncertainty, the PM has confirmed that the big day can go ahead for families across England, despite the “extremely difficult” Omicron situation.
In a sombre warning of measures to come, he said he “will be ready to take action” after Boxing Day if the situation spirals out of control.
He claimed a lack of information on the severity of Omicron, the rate of hospitalisations and the impact of the UK’s monumental booster jab rollout means no new measures are needed yet.
However Mr Johnson said the situation is “finely balanced” as the Omicron variant rips through Britain.
Today a further 90,629 cases were reported – with 15,363 Omicron cases alone.
The PM told the nation: “There is no doubt that Omicron continues to surge with a speed unlike anything we’ve seen before.
“The situation remains extremely difficult but I also recognise that people have been waiting to hear whether their Christmas plans are going to be affected.
“So what I can say tonight, is that naturally we can’t rule out any further measures after Christmas – and we’re going to keep a constant eye on the data, and we’ll do whatever it takes to protect public health.
“But in view of the continuing uncertainty about several things – the severity of Omicron, uncertainty about the hospitalisation rate or the impact of the vaccine rollout or the boosters, we don’t think today that there is enough evidence to justify any tougher measures before Christmas.”
Brits have been urged to “exercise caution” and follow Government guidance – including wearing a mask indoors when required, keeping fresh air circulating and taking a test before visiting vulnerable or elderly relatives.
Cabinet Ministers today fanned fears of a circuit-breaker following their decision yesterday to hold off announcing any imminent restrictions.
BOXING DAY CRACKDOWN
Rishi Sunak said there was “an enormous amount of uncertainty” around Christmas plans.
Asked if he could rule out restrictions before the New Year, the Chancellor said: “I absolutely appreciate people’s frustration with all of this.
“And I’d refer people to the Prime Minister’s words yesterday. And unfortunately, we’re just dealing with an enormous amount of uncertainty at the moment.
“And what the Prime Minister said is that we’re reviewing the data day by day, hour by hour, keeping the situation under constant review that can’t rule anything out.”
Cabinet Office Minister Steve Barclay also said ministers were “looking closely at the data” before deciding whether to pull the trigger on a circuit-breaker.
Brits are being urged to get their booster jabs now to slow the spread of Omicron.
Trending In The News is also urging readers to sign up to the Jabs Army campaign to make the rollout as smooth and fast as possible.
A booster shot is the best protection against Omicron, with early data suggesting it pushes efficacy back up to 75 per cent.
Dr Jenny Harries, UKHSA Chief Executive said: “Once again, we urge everyone who is able to get a booster jab to come forward and do so. It is the best defence we have against this highly transmissible new variant.”
