The chief executive of Moderna has said that its Covid-19 vaccine will be less effective against the Omicron variant than it is in fighting the Delta variant.
It has been suggested that an updated Covid vaccine may be needed as the Omicron variant, which was first discovered in South Africa, continues to spread worldwide.
However, Moderna CEO, Stephane Bancel, has said it would take months before pharmaceutical companies would be in a position to manufacture a new vaccine targeted at the latest variant on a large scale.
Mr Bancel told the Financial Times: "There is no world, I think, where (the effectiveness) is the same level . . . we had with Delta".
He added: "I think it's going to be a material drop. I just don't know how much because we need to wait for the data. But all the scientists I've talked to... are like, 'This is not going to be good'."
Mr Bancel has called for more clarity to be given about the effectiveness of the current Covid vaccines against the Omicron variant.
Although no Omicron cases have been reported to the Department of Health, it is believed that the new variant has already arrived in Ireland.
However, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, has said Ireland's focus should remain on the Delta variant and curving community transmission.
He said: "While there is much attention on new variants, the incidence of the delta variant of Covid-19 remains too high in Ireland, with widespread infection in the community.
"We all know the actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 - good hand hygiene, wearing a face covering, meeting others outdoors where possible and, when indoors, opening windows and ensuring good ventilation, keeping your distance and, of course, coming forward for vaccination and booster dose when eligible."
The World Health Organisation has said that the globe should now turn its attention to vaccinating those in developing countries.
Special Envoy on Covid-19 to the WHO, Dr Nabarra, told RTE News: "A new variant can come from anywhere and the best way to reduce the risk of these variants is to spread the vaccine widely."
He added: "Which is better, giving everybody a boost now or perhaps waiting a couple of months until we've managed to get the basic supplies out for the health workers and the older people in poor countries and then boosting Ireland, UK, Europe in a couple of months' time?
"Quite honestly, I believe that many, many more lives will be saved if we can just delay a bit in the advanced nations, so that the developing countries can catch-up. That's what best for the whole world."
