Germany vaccine maker BioNTech on Monday said that it does not require any changes in its COVID-19 vaccine at the moment to protect against other mutants of the virus.
In a statement by the company, it said, “To date, there is no evidence that an adaptation of BioNTech’s current COVID-19 vaccine against key identified emerging variants is necessary.”
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The vaccine makers also clarified that tests had already begun in March on a “modified, variant-specific version” of its vaccine. Preparations are under way if a tweak is required.
The company also added that, “The aim of this study is to explore the regulatory pathway that BioNTech and Pfizer would pursue if SARS-CoV-2 were to change enough to require an updated vaccine.”
BioNTech boss Ugur Sahin said last month that his company’s vaccine works against the Indian mutant.
The German company on Monday announced its plans of expansion in Asia Pacific region. BioNTech in a tweet said that, “We’re excited to announce our plans to establish our first regional hub in #AsiaPacific region & 1st #mRNA manufacturing facility in #Singapore – expanding our ability to manufacture & deliver #mRNA vaccines & potential therapies to people around the world.”
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The BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine was the first vaccine to get approval in the Global North. The country has since deployed in many countries across the world. It is supplying vaccines to over 90 countries, and expects to ramp up vaccine production to three billion doses by the end of 2021.