Preliminary laboratory findings reveal that three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine neutralize the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529 lineage), but two doses have significantly lower neutralization titers, according to the vaccine producers.
In a joint statement made on Wednesday, Pfizer and BioNTech announced, “Pfizer and BioNTech give an update on Omicron version.”
“Although two doses of the vaccine may still offer protection against severe sickness caused by the Omicron strain, it’s obvious from these preliminary data that protection is improved with a third dose of our vaccine,” said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pfizer.
“The best course of action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to ensure that as many people as possible are fully vaccinated with the first two-dose series plus a booster.”
“Our preliminary, first dataset indicates that a third dose could still offer an adequate level of protection from disease of any severity caused by the Omicron variety,” stated Ugur Sahin, co-founder of BioNTech.
“Global vaccination and booster campaigns could help us better protect people around the world and get through the winter season.” We are continuing to develop an adapted vaccination that, in comparison to the current vaccine, we believe will help to induce a high level of protection against Omicron-induced COVID-19 disease as well as a longer duration of protection.”
In order to assess and confirm Omicron protection and decide the most viable path forward, the companies announced that they would continue to collect more laboratory data as well as evaluate real-world effectiveness.
On November 25, 2021, the businesses began developing an Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine. If a vaccine adaption is required to increase the amount and duration of Omicron protection, development will proceed as planned.
Despite the fact that no deaths have been reported worldwide, the Omicron type, which was initially detected in South Africa, has already been confirmed in over 40 countries, including Nigeria.
Many countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and European countries, have put travel restrictions on African countries, which have been widely denounced as discriminatory.
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