Focus

S Korea's homegrown vaccine proven effective against Omicron subvariants as booster shot

02 Sep 2022 04:40pm
SKYCovione is allowed to be administered as one of the two main inoculations. - Photo: International Vaccine Institute
SKYCovione is allowed to be administered as one of the two main inoculations. - Photo: International Vaccine Institute
SEOUL - SKYCovione, South Korea's first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine developed by SK Bioscience Co., has been proven to be effective against Omicron subvariants when administered as a booster shot, a state-run research centre said Friday.

The Centre for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR) said it has confirmed through research SKYCovione's efficacy in neutralising the BA.1 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants when used after two previous primary vaccine jabs, Yonhap news agency reported.

Currently, SKYCovione is allowed to be administered as one of the two main inoculations. Authorities could potentially allow it to be used as a booster shot based on the results.

When inoculated with SKYCovione as a booster shot, the virus neutralising effect in subjects was 51.9 times higher against the BA.1 subvariant and 28.2 times higher against the BA.5 subvariant, the centre said.

Head of the CIDR, Kwon Joon-wook, said the centre "verified the possibility in using domestically developed vaccines as booster shots."
Related Articles:


SKYCovione is a recombinant-protein vaccine based on novel two-component nanoparticles that can maximise the immune effect. It was jointly developed with the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington. - BERNAMA

South Korea
Covid 19
Vaccine
Omicron
subvariant
booster
More Like This
A chimpanzee is pictured at the Pridadomus recovering centre in Villena, near Alicante. AFP FILE PIX
A chimpanzee is pictured at the Pridadomus recovering centre in Villena, near Alicante. AFP FILE PIX
World Chimps are upping their tool game, says study
"Planet of the Apes" may have been onto something.
US President-elect Donald Trump is handing top roles in his future administration to a mix of allies, provocateurs and a few relatively conventional figures. - (Photo by various sources / AFP)
US President-elect Donald Trump is handing top roles in his future administration to a mix of allies, provocateurs and a few relatively conventional figures. - (Photo by various sources / AFP)
World Trump's top team: Firebrands and stalwarts
WASHINGTON - US President-elect Donald Trump is handing top roles in his future administration to a mix of allies, provocateurs and a few relatively conventional figures. Most positions require Senate approval, which brings added scrutiny. Here is who Trump has chosen so far: - Health Secretary:...
The International Criminal Court on Nov 21, 2024 issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as a Hamas' military chief. - (Photo by DEBBIE HILL / POOL / AFP)
The International Criminal Court on Nov 21, 2024 issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as a Hamas' military chief. - (Photo by DEBBIE HILL / POOL / AFP)
World ICC warrants critical step in holding Israeli leaders accountable - BDS
All States parties to the Rome Statute, including deeply complicit ones such as Germany and the UK, are now compelled to meet their duty, fully cooperating with the ICC and executing these arrest warrants.
Matt Gaetz (left), Donald Trump (centre) and Pam Bondi. Photo by AFP
Matt Gaetz (left), Donald Trump (centre) and Pam Bondi. Photo by AFP
World Trump taps loyalist Pam Bondi for attorney general after Gaetz withdraws
Gaetz's retreat amid sexual misconduct allegations signalled limits to Trump's power, even as the president-elect prepares to retake the White House with his Republican Party also in control of both chambers of Congress.