In a mouse study, Pfizer's updated Covid Shot was successful against a new variant

 In a mouse study, Pfizer's updated Covid Shot was successful against a new variant

Pfizer, its German partner BioNTech SE, other COVID-19 vaccine producers Moderna and Novavax, and the XBB.1.5 subvariant-targeting versions of their injections have been developed.

Pfizer Inc. said on Thursday that a mouse trial using its modified COVID-19 injection, which is being evaluated against new variations, revealed neutralising action against the "Eris" subvariant.

Pfizer, its German partner BioNTech SE, other COVID-19 vaccine producers Moderna and Novavax, and the XBB.1.5 subvariant-targeting versions of their injections have been developed.

The XBB.1.5 subvariant and a sub-lineage of the still-dominant Omicron variant are related to EG.5, dubbed "Eris" by some.

Approximately 17% of COVID-19 cases in the United States were caused by EG.5, according to the most recent official statistics.

Hospitalisations for COVID-19 in the US are up more than 40% from recent lows in June, although they are still more than 90% below peak levels during the Omicron epidemic in January 2022.

Along with other nations, EG.5 has also been found in China, South Korea, Japan, and Canada.

EG.5 was designated as a "variant of interest" by the World Health Organisation, meaning that because of potential mutations that might make it more infectious or severe, it has to be monitored more closely than others.