BioNTech and Pfizer say three doses of their vaccine neutralize omicron

BioNTech and Pfizer claimed Wednesday that a three-injection cycle of their COVID-19 vaccine was shown to have a neutralizing effect against the new omicron variant of the coronavirus in a laboratory test and noted that they could deliver an omicron-based vaccine in March 2022. If necessary.

In the first official statement from vaccine manufacturers on the likely efficacy of their injection against omicron, BioNTech and Pfizer said that two doses of the vaccine resulted in significantly lower neutralizing antibodies, but that a third dose increased them by a factor of 25.

Blood obtained from people who received their third booster injection a month ago neutralized the omicron variant just as effectively as blood after two doses battled the original virus that was first found in China.

“Ensuring that as many people as possible are fully vaccinated with the first series of two doses and a booster remains the best course of action to prevent the spread of COVID-19.″ Said the head of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, in the statement.

The findings are in broad agreement with a preliminary study published Tuesday by researchers at the African Health Research Institute in South Africa, which says omicron may partially evade the protection of two doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine and also suggests that a third injection could help defend against infection.

However, a laboratory test at the university hospital in Frankfurt, Germany, found a reduced antibody response to omicron even after three injections.

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