Pfizer says a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine may protect against the new Omicron variant, which early indications show might be more contagious
Pfizer said Wednesday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine may offer important protection against the new Omicron variant even though the initial two doses appear significantly less effective.
Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said that while two doses may not be protective enough to prevent infection, lab tests showed a booster increased by 25-fold people’s levels of virus-fighting antibodies. Blood samples taken a month after a booster shot showed that people harbored levels of Omicron-neutralizing antibodies similar to amounts proven protective against earlier variants after two doses.. Currently the extra-contagious Delta variant is responsible for most of the COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and other countries.
Pfizer’s findings, announced in a news release, are preliminary and haven’t yet undergone scientific review. But they’re the first from a vaccine-maker examining whether the booster doses that health authorities are urging people to get may indeed make an important difference.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pfizer, BioNTech say initial lab study showed 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccine neutralized omicron variantPfizer Inc. undefined and BioNTech SE undefined said results from an 'initial laboratory study' showed that their COVID-19 vaccine neutralized the omicron...
Read more »
Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 Booster ‘Neutralizes’ Omicron Variant, Companies SayThe vaccine has “significantly reduced” protection against omicron after only two shots, early data suggests.
Read more »
U.K. Imposes New Covid-19 Restrictions as Omicron Cases Double Every Few DaysThe British government imposed new restrictions in England, including a work from home order and a requirement for proof of vaccination for nightclubs, and warned that Covid-19 infections caused by the Omicron variant are doubling every two or three days
Read more »
Glaxo Says Its Covid-19 Antibody Drug Works Against OmicronGlaxoSmithKline and Vir said their Covid-19 antibody treatment retained effectiveness against the Omicron variant in laboratory studies, even as early data suggests that similar treatments work less well against the strain.
Read more »
Here’s How Covid-19 Vaccine Makers Plan To Tackle OmicronI am a London-based reporter for Forbes covering breaking news. Previously, I have worked as a reporter for a specialist legal publication covering big data and as a freelance journalist and policy analyst covering science, tech and health. I have a master’s degree in Biological Natural Sciences and a master’s degree in the History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Cambridge. Follow me on Twitter theroberthart or email me at rhartforbes.com
Read more »