Omicron variant: Brazilian health regulator requests further data on impact of authorized vaccines

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) on Wednesday, December 1, announced that it has requested the developers of Covid-19 vaccines authorized in Brazil to provide data on ongoing studies related to the new Omicron variant.

“Anvisa requests that developers of authorized vaccines should monitor and assess the impact of variants on the efficacy and effectiveness of immunizers. However, it should be noted that these studies require time, since genetic information and patient samples must be obtained in order to conduct the tests and analysis,” the agency said.

The companies developing immunizers will conduct performance tests on the vaccines against the new variant, ANVISA reported. The agency expects that data from the initial evaluations will be available in the coming weeks.

“ANVISA maintains its commitment to work together with international authorities and the companies involved to ensure that updates to the vaccines, if necessary, are quickly made, to preserve their quality, efficacy and safety profile.”

The agency advised that the time is for caution and that the population’s best course of action is to get vaccinated, or receive a booster dose of the immunizer, in addition to maintaining preventive measures such as mask wearing, hand sanitizing, and social distancing.

According to ANVISA, “current vaccines remain effective in preventing Covid-19 and severe clinical outcomes, including hospitalization and death.”