Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE said today that preliminary laboratory studies have shown that the third dose of their COVID-19 vaccine neutralizes the Omicron variant, which will accelerate booster shot drives around the world.
A booster with the current version of the vaccine has increased antibodies by 25-fold, providing similar levels after two doses against the original virus and other variants, the companies said on Wednesday.
The two doses of the vaccine resulted in neutralizing antibody levels of Omicron versus 25 times lower than in the original strain of the virus in the blood plasma of people immunized, the companies said.
Albert Bouerla, President and CEO of Pfizer, said: “While two doses of the vaccine may still provide protection against severe disease caused by the Omicron strain, it is clear from these preliminary data that the third dose of our vaccine may provide protection against disease.” Security improves.” , “Ensuring that as many people as possible are fully vaccinated with the first two dose series and a booster is the best course of action to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin said early data suggests a third dose may still provide adequate protection against disease.
“Widespread vaccination and booster campaigns around the world can help us better protect people everywhere and survive the winter season. We continue to work on a customized vaccine that, we believe, is the Omicron-inspired COVID-19 vaccine. 19 will help provide a higher level of protection against the disease as well as longer protection than current vaccines.”
The data are preliminary, as participants continue to study the new version.
First detected in Africa at the end of November, the Omicron variant has been reported in 57 countries, with COVID cases rising in southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, and the number of hospitalizations likely to increase, The World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
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