Experts warn that the corona virus omicron variant could "strike the world" and become the most common strain of the virus, causing millions of outbreaks of outbreaks lasting three to six months.
Dr. Leung Ho-Nam, a virology expert in the United States, told the local news network CNBC that the effort to develop a vaccine adapted to the new strain may prove unnecessary because by the time it takes to develop the adapted vaccine, the variant will already "spread worldwide as the dominant strain of the virus. The expert's remarks are aimed at Paysber CEO Albert Burla's claim that a vaccine suitable for Omicron can be developed in just one hundred days.
"It's a nice idea, but it's not practical. We will not be able to speed up the arrival of vaccines in time for them to arrive.
Heathrow Airport in London after the discovery of the Omicron variant, Photo: AP
The expert's remarks connect to alarming findings emerging from the UK, where it has been reported that the rate of infection in the new variant is doubling in a period of less than three days.
What is particularly worrying is that the figure is similar to that diagnosed in South Africa, the first country where the strain spread, but the UK is a country where the majority of the population is vaccinated, which may indicate an increased ability of the variant to cause infection among vaccinated.
A senior government official involved in the Corona's coping policy said: "We in the government do not think there is any reason to take our eyes off this risk. There is a significant concern of widespread child abuse and very disturbing morbidity in the UK. False panic from the variant, but it is too early to determine. "
Countries around the world are changing their entry policies
Meanwhile, the Omicron panic has led to changes in entry conditions for a number of countries and firstly, the US and the UK are changing their entry requirements from this week onwards. .
In the United States, only two-dose vaccinated children and children will be admitted. Those who have recovered and are vaccinated in one dose cannot enter the country.
Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands, Photo: Reuters
In the UK it has been announced that starting this Tuesday at 04:00, everyone will be required to perform a corona test within 48 hours before the flight to the destination, including vaccinated.
The new requirement is in addition to the existing requirement that a corona test be performed in the UK until the end of the second day and remain in isolation until the results are obtained.
At the same time, in Switzerland, the only country in Europe that has banned the entry of Israelis following the Omicron variant announced that vaccinated Israelis can already enter the country, but are required to have a corona test before the flight to the destination and on Wednesday through Wednesday are required to undergo further testing.
Other countries have changed their entry guidelines in recent days and most require pre-flight check-ups from those who have also been vaccinated, which has not been the case so far.
Among the countries that added the requirement: Portugal, Cyprus and Belgium.
Participated in the preparation of the article: Meital Yasur Beit Or
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