Researchers are working to develop vaccines targeting the newer variants of the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 as the world grapples with the fear of another Covid surge caused by the BF.7 sub-variant of the Omicron virus. Bharat Biotech is one of the drug makers working on the COVID booster vaccine, along with Pfizer and Moderna.

However, experts are stating that in countries like India, new vaccines targeting Omicron sub-variants will not have a significant impact owing to hybrid immunity. Dr. Kiran Madala, a well-known researcher, stated that in June, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a detailed discussion on the efficacy of the second booster dose. She added that they agreed that the new vaccine should include the SARS-CoV2 Omicron component in Covid-19 vaccines.

Several official sources have revealed that Bharat Biotech has received the Omicron BF.7 strain for vaccine development. They explained that the drug makers use the whole virus method rather than the mRNA method adopted by foreign firms. In the mRNA method, only a portion of the virus is used to develop vaccines in a shorter time.