London: The scientist behind the creation of the Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine, administered in India as Covishield, on Monday warned that the next virus to hit humankind might be even more lethal and contagious.
Professor Sarah Gilbert, professor of Vaccinology at the Jenner Institute of the University of Oxford who was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for her pivotal role in developing the vaccine, said there needed to be more funding for pandemic preparedness. She also warned vaccines could be less effective against the new Omicron variant, but noted that reduced protection against infection and mild disease would not necessarily mean reduced protection against severe illness and death.