Omicron was first detected in southern Africa and Hong Kong last month and has set off a global alarm about another surge in infections
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BioNTech and Pfizer said on December 8, that a three-shot course of their COVID-19 vaccine was able to neutralise the new Omicron variant in a laboratory test, Reuters reported. This, according to the report, was an early signal that booster shots could be key to protection against infection from the new variant.
Omicron was first detected in southern Africa and Hong Kong last month and has set off a global alarm about another surge in infections. In fact, cases have been reported from Japan to the United States and across Europe.
The German and US companies said two doses of their vaccine resulted in significantly lower neutralising antibodies but could still be protective against severe disease.
“The first line of defence, with two doses of vaccination, might be compromised and three doses of vaccination are required to restore protection,” Reuters quoted BioNTech Chief Medical Officer Ozlem Tuereci speaking at a press conference.
The companies also said they could deliver an upgraded vaccine targeted specifically at the Omicron variant in March 2022 if one was needed.
Pfizer and BioNTech’s findings are broadly in line with a preliminary study published by researchers at the Africa Health Research Institute in South Africa on December 7, which said Omicron could partially evade protection from two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and suggested a third shot might help fend off infection
BioNTech and Pfizer are the first manufacturers of a Covid vaccine to issue an official update on the efficacy of their shot against Omicron. In samples of blood taken around a month after the third shot the Omicron variant was neutralised about as effectively as two doses neutralised the original virus.
US President Joe Biden tweeted: “The new data from Pfizer on vaccine effectiveness against Omicron is encouraging. Anyone who is eligible and has not been boosted should go get a booster today.”
BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin said that countries could consider shortening the time period between second and third doses of the vaccine to combat the new variant. Reuters reported that Sahin cited recent moves by countries including Britain to bring the third shot forward to three months after the second shot, from six months previously. “We believe this is the right way to go particularly if the Omicron is now spreading further, to enable a better level of protection in the winter season,” Sahin said.
The World Health Organization had classified Omicron on November 26 as a “variant of concern” but said there was no evidence to support the need for new vaccines specifically designed to tackle the variant and its mutations.
The companies said they would continue efforts to bring an Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine to market.
Pfizer scientist Kena Swanson said the company is considering also testing two doses of an Omicron-specific vaccine in currently unvaccinated people.
Pfizer and BioNTech’s findings are broadly in line with a preliminary study published by researchers at the Africa Health Research Institute in South Africa on December 7, which said Omicron could partially evade protection from two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and suggested a third shot might help fend off infection.
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