In recent weeks, infections with the new Delta variant of Corona, originating in India, have been spreading in Europe and Germany. The head of German venture BioNTech has now given the good news.
“Currently we do not have data, that it is necessary to adapt our vaccine to the variants of the virus in circulation,” said the chairman of the board of BioNTech, Ugur Sahin at the main virtual meeting of the biotechnology enterprise.
The third vaccine may help
BioNTech is working on less rigorous procedures in the technology, manufacturing and licensing sectors, to be ready and responsive if a third dose is needed for the previous vaccination or an adaptation to a new branching of the virus. BioNTech is currently analyzing the effectiveness of the vaccine against new variants, said BioNTech founder Sahin. Knowledge of new virus mutations is growing day by day, the vaccine inventor added. What is noticed is that the immunity of the vaccinated with time weakens and on the other hand new variants are created. “I expect that a third vaccine for immune regeneration could be of great importance,” explained the head of BioNTech. “But we still do not know when and how often a new vaccination will be needed.”
RKI: Infections with the Delta variant can lead to serious illness
According to Sahin, the Mainz biotechnology company and partner Pfizer plan to produce 3 billion doses of vaccine this year – next year production will increase. At least 50% of BioNTech production seeks to supply it itself.
How quickly the Delta variant of the virus discovered in India spreads, this is also shown by the German land, Hesen. “We have clear signs that the Delta in Hassan dominates in more than 20% of cases,” said the country’s Health Minister, Kai Klose. That is why it is very important to get vaccinated as soon as possible, said the green politician.
According to the Robert Koch Institute, RKI infections with the Delta variant can lead to severe Covid disease. According to RKI in Germany infections may increase in the future because the Delta variant is more contagious. In the UK this variant of the virus has become prevalent in infection figures within a few weeks and is adding to them, despite the UK’s success in the vaccination campaign. Lisbon, the Portuguese capital was closed for two days at the weekend due to rising infections. A new record of infections has been set in Moscow with the new variant./DW