Washington: Pfizer and BioNTech, two major pharmaceutical companies, have issued a statement stating that they are doubtful whether their vaccines will help treat the new mutated strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus known as the Omicron variant.

After the World Health Organization recognised 'B.1.1.529' as a 'variant of concern' on Friday, a new, more fatal strain of the novel coronavirus has now again sounded the alarm bells around the world. This novel variant's protein, dubbed 'Omicron' (Greek), is thought to be ineffective against Covid-19 vaccinations now available on the market.

According to Sputnik, the corporations have promised to develop a new, more powerful vaccination against this version "within 100 days." "In the event that a vaccine-escape variant occurs, Pfizer and BioNTech anticipate to be able to develop and produce a tailor-made vaccine against that variety in about 100 days, subject to regulatory approval," the companies said in a statement released on Saturday.

Pfizer and BioNTech have stated that the new variant "clearly differs from previously detected ones," and that more data on 'Omicron' will be obtained in the coming weeks. The pharmaceutical companies emphasised that they began research on making their vaccines adaptable to developing variants months ago, and that the vaccine can now adjust within six weeks of administration.

''New coronavirus variant Omicron is big concern'' AIIMS doctor

Tamil Nadu intensifies screening at Airports after New Covid variant threat

Sri Lanka imposes travel ban from African countries over Omicron variant