The vaccine approach is to use the mRNA sequence for the spike protein on the initial viral sequence. Along comes the Delta variant. We know the details of that variant, namely the mRNA of its spike. It differs a bit. BUT, instead of adding this mRNA to the vaccines to combat COVID head on we are relying on the original spike to hopefully keep us safe!
This is akin to fighting the last war. The spikes will be changing continuously but we are more than six months in and no progress. Axios has noted:
In a statement, Pfizer said it and BioNTech "expect to be able to develop and produce a tailor-made vaccine against that variant in approximately 100 days after a decision to do so, subject to regulatory approval."
So what is holding you up. Well first the original vaccines needs FDA approval. Perhaps we can get help from the Taliban in how to move quickly? The FDA seems constipated on the original approval. Second, like flu vaccines, a new mRNA, with six nucleotide changes, out of 3,000, gets us there. It is a 20 min labe exercise for a college Junior. I suspect we can treat this virus as we do flu viruses with annual boosters tracking the ever changing variants.
The issues is that no one is talking about this amongst the herd of experts in DC. Pity!
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