Biotechnologist Krasilnikov: it can take up to 10 days to construct an antigen in vaccines 
If it turns out that antibodies are powerless against the new omicron strain, a new antigen will need to be introduced into existing COVID-19 vaccines. Igor Krasilnikov, General Director of the Biotechnology Development Company, said that such a procedure could take about 10 days. The biotechnologist shared his forecast with the Russians on the air of the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio.
The specialist explained that first, scientists need to establish whether the antibodies produced after vaccination against coronavirus can neutralize the omicron strain. According to Krasilnikov, this is a quick procedure.
“There are laboratory methods that will show whether this scheme works,” he said.
Nevertheless, Krasilnikov is confident that the development of a vaccine and its introduction into civilian circulation will take much more time than the construction of the antigen.
Earlier, immunologist, candidate of medical sciences Nikolai Kryuchkov said that the new omicron strain of coronavirus is dangerous not only for the elderly, but also for children.
A new strain of COVID-19 under the code B.1.1.529 was detected in South Africa on November 11, isolated cases were also recorded in Japan, Canada, Spain, Sweden, Egypt, Austria and other countries. The head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova said that no cases of infection with the new strain have been registered in Russia.