Mayo Clinic research on oral pill vaccines

(ABC 6 News) – With the spread of COVID increasing in Minnesota and the rise of the omicron variant. Mayo Clinic is conducting research on possible oral pills that can be taken to combat the virus.

Research has been conducted using two types of pills: antiviral and monoclonal antibodies.

With vaccination rates slowing down, research is being conducted through other avenues and s far results are promising.

"It has an almost 90 percent, back to 89 percent, ability to prevent hospitalization and death in those at high risk," said Professor of Infectious diseases Dr. Andrew Badley.

It is unknown when the pills are expected to be made available to the public.

As for the omicron variant, research indicates so far that people are getting less sick or are experiencing fewer symptoms than with previous variants.

Mayo says both oral pills are expected to perform well against both the delta and omicron variants.