Scientists are in a race to determine if the vaccines will be effective against Omicron

The new Omicron variant has prompted nations to sever air links from southern Africa, amid fears of a global surge of Covid-19. Scientists have scrambled to gather data on the variant, its capabilities, and how effectively current vaccines will protect against it. Early findings indicate that the Omicron variant may be more transmissible and better able to evade the body’s immune responses, both to vaccination and to natural infection. The vaccines may well continue to ward off severe illness and death, although booster doses may be needed to protect most people. Makers of the two most effective vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, are preparing to reformulate their shots if necessary.