Vaccines should be able to be adapted fast to address COVID-19 variants - WHO's Ryan

It should be possible to adapt coronavirus vaccines quickly if they lose their effectiveness against mutations, World Health Organization (WHO) emergencies chief Mike Ryan said on Wednesday. "Have a look at influenza.

It should be possible to adapt coronavirus vaccines quickly if they lose their effectiveness against mutations, World Health Organization (WHO) emergencies chief Mike Ryan said on Wednesday.

"Have a look at influenza. We change the vaccine composition twice a year, for the northern and southern hemisphere, and we're able to issue vaccines very, very quickly to combat the predominant flu strains," Ryan said during a social media question and answer session.

"There's no reason, even down the line, if this virus evolves to a point where our vaccines begin to lose effectiveness, (why we should not be able to vaccinate against COVID-19). We can adapt those vaccines, and I believe we can adapt those vaccines quickly."