Pfizer, BioNTech say booster dose to neutralize Omicron variant

Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced that initial lab studies show that a third dose of their COVID-19 vaccine may be needed to neutralize the omicron variant, according to Bloomberg.

Thy added that company researchers observed a 25-fold reduction in neutralizing antibody levels versus the variant, compared with the original strain of the virus, in people who got just two shots.

However, boosting with an additional shot of the vaccine raised antibodies 25-fold against omicron, giving a similar level of the protective proteins as observed against those earlier versions after the standard two doses, the vaccine partners said in a statement.

The lab findings indicate that two doses of the vaccine “may not be sufficient” to protect against infection with the omicron strain, the companies said.

Pfizer and BioNTech said that their Omicron-targeted shot would be ready by March.