Virologist Altstein: data on the omicron reaction to vaccines can be obtained within a week 
be received within this week. This was stated in a conversation with Lenta.ru by a virologist, doctor of medical sciences, professor, chief employee of the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Anatoly Altstein.
“Maybe this week there will be results on how omicron responds to vaccines. The deadline is next week, “the virologist said.
To obtain such data, a neutralization reaction is required in the laboratory, explained the chief employee of the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology. We need to get a multiplying strain of the virus, added the virologist. “I think it has already been obtained and molecular research is now underway,” said Altstein. The virologist said that companies involved in the development of vaccines are interested in getting research results as soon as possible, so they do their best to promote them.
In summary, the doctor of medical sciences made a preliminary statement without relying on research data. “Presumably the vaccines will work, but probably weaker than against other strains,” he concluded.
Earlier, virologist, professor of the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Alexander Butenko, said that the new omicron coronavirus strain could contribute to the formation of a collective immunity in Russia. He clarified that the emergence of new strains of coronavirus can lead to positive effects, for example, a decrease in virulence.
According to Butenko, if the weak pathogenicity of the omicron strain is confirmed, then it can be used to form herd immunity. However, this assumption must be substantiated by molecular genetic studies, observations and time.