Covid-19 to stay for 10 more years, warns Pfizer vaccine developer

Covid-19 to stay for 10 more years, warns Pfizer vaccine developer

Sahin is confident that the new variant of the Covid-19 strain in the UK would not impact the efficacy of the vaccine

FPJ Web DeskUpdated: Saturday, January 02, 2021, 11:37 AM IST
article-image
Representational Image |

As the world is still struggling to fight the coronavirus pandemic, added to it is the fear of newer and potentially lethal strains, BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin has warned that the deadly virus is going to stay with us for the next decade at least.

Sahin was speaking at a virtual press conference this week. When asked when life could return to normal, he said, "We need a new definition of normal. The virus will stay with us for the next 10 years."

BioNTech's vaccine, developed with the US pharmaceutical company Pfizer, has been authorised for use in more than 45 countries, including Britain and the US. Sahin revealed said that the vaccine can be adjusted for the new UK variant in about six weeks.

As the new strain of Covid is a matter of concern and worry around the world including in India. A wait and watch theory are maintained on the new strain as to what effect it could have going ahead. However, Sahin seems to be confident that the new variant of the Covid-19 strain in the UK would not impact the efficacy of the vaccine.

UK has reported highest number of Covid-19 deaths this week after it discovered a second new variant of the novel coronavirus in Britain. On December 19, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had also imposed Tier Four restrictions on London and other parts of England after the discovery of a first mutant Covid-19 strain which is said to be about 70 per cent more transmissible.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the second new variant was reportedly related to travelers from South Africa, and two cases have been reported so far. "This new variant is highly concerning because it is yet more transmissible and it appears to have mutated further than the new variant that has been discovered in the UK," he said this week.

RECENT STORIES

Game-Changing Alliance: Ambani's Reliance Ventures Into Adani's Power For The First Time; Acquires...

Game-Changing Alliance: Ambani's Reliance Ventures Into Adani's Power For The First Time; Acquires...

SRM Contractors IPO Subscribed 86.57 Times On Last Day Of Bidding

SRM Contractors IPO Subscribed 86.57 Times On Last Day Of Bidding

Tax-Saving Tip From Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath: 'If You're Married And Hindu..."; Here's How To Save...

Tax-Saving Tip From Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath: 'If You're Married And Hindu...

Holy Cities Like Ayodhya, Varanasi Attracting Big Retail Brands: Report

Holy Cities Like Ayodhya, Varanasi Attracting Big Retail Brands: Report

A Big Relief For Byju's: NCLT Rejects Investor Plea To Stay Byju's Rights Issue EGM On March 29 Amid...

A Big Relief For Byju's: NCLT Rejects Investor Plea To Stay Byju's Rights Issue EGM On March 29 Amid...