Oxford and AstraZeneca launch work on Omicron-targeted version of vaccine

Oxford university and AstraZeneca have begun work to produce an Omicron-targeted version of their coronavirus vaccine, joining the ranks of their peers who are studying the potential for adapting formulations of their shots in case they become necessary to tackle the variant.

When asked about Omicron, Sandy Douglas, a research group leader at Oxford, told the Financial Times: “Like with many previous variants of concern, and together with our partners AstraZeneca, we have taken preliminary steps in producing an updated vaccine in case it is needed.”

He said: “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.”

AstraZeneca did not comment.

A study released in The Lancet medical journal on Monday showed the protection afforded by two doses of the AstraZeneca shot started to wane three months after full vaccination, including against severe disease.

Other emerging evidence suggests that a two-shot course of widely used vaccines generates a smaller amount of antibodies against Omicron than for previous variants, and that a third mRNA shot can increase that level. While it is not yet fully clear what this means in terms of effectiveness, global health authorities have expressed concern that current shots may offer less protection against Omicron.

In general, scientists hope two doses will still continue to hold up against severe disease caused by Omicron, though Monday’s study has further underscored the need for AstraZeneca vaccine recipients to get boosters.

The AstraZeneca shot was widely deployed earlier this year in the UK and the EU before countries restricted its use after the emergence of a rare side effect involving blood clots. Through their partnership, which includes India’s Serum Institute, Oxford and AstraZeneca have delivered more than 2bn doses globally — the bulk of them in poorer nations.

Oxford has already conducted studies on a Beta-targeted vaccine after studies earlier this year showed it had minimal efficacy against milder disease caused by that strain. The results for studies on that drug candidate, known as AZD2816, have not yet been released.

Global health authorities, such as European Medicines Agency head Emer Cooke, have warned that it would take time to reach a global scientific consensus on whether Omicron-targeted shots are needed.

Important considerations, such as what the circulating virus might be when regulators are ready to approve any varied vaccine, would play an important role in making that decision, the Financial Times reported on Monday. AstraZeneca had not yet formally applied for an EU-wide booster, Cooke added.

The UK and the EU are mostly using mRNA shots in their booster campaigns.