Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variant (whole inactivated virion) (SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (WIV))

The whole inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Omicron virion serves as a comprehensive antigen source for vaccine development, specifically targeting the B.1.1.529 lineage and its descendants (WHO, 2021). By using the entire virus particle that has been rendered non-replicative through chemical means like beta-propiolactone, the vaccine exposes the immune system to the full array of viral structural proteins, including the Spike (S), Nucleocapsid (N), Membrane (M), and Envelope (E) proteins (Liu et al., 2022, Nature). This broad antigenic profile is intended to induce a more diverse immune response compared to Spike-only vaccines, potentially offering better protection against variants with heavy Spike mutations (Zhang et al., 2022, Emerging Microbes & Infections). Once injected, these inactivated virions are processed by professional antigen-presenting cells, which then trigger the production of neutralizing antibodies and the activation of T-cell mediated immunity (Gao et al., 2020, Science). This traditional vaccine platform is utilized to prevent infection and severe disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (CDC, 2023). While highly effective at presenting the native conformation of viral proteins, the approach requires high-containment manufacturing facilities (BSL-3) to grow the live virus before inactivation.

Other names

Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Omicron vaccineOmicron whole-virion inactivated antigenSARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 inactivated virusWhole inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Omicron antigen

Induction of active immunity through the presentation of multiple viral structural proteins (Spike, Nucleocapsid, Membrane, and Envelope) to the immune system, stimulating both humoral (B-cell) and cellular (T-cell) responses (Gao et al., 2020, Science).