Next virus could be more lethal
London, Dec. 6: The scientist behind the creation of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, administered in India as Covishield to protect against the Covid-19, on Monday warned that the next virus to hit humankind may be even more lethal and contagious.
Professor Sarah Gilbert, Professor of Vaccinology at the Jenner Institute of the University of Oxford who was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for her pivotal role in developing the vaccine, said there needed to be more funding for preparedness to tackle pandemic to prevent the advances made in the field from being lost. She also warned vaccines could be less effective against the new Omicron variant, but noted that reduced protection against infection. —