COVID-19: Pfizer says booster shot effective in neutralizing Omicron variant

Picture Courtesy: Reuters

Today Pfizer and BioNTech said that the third booster shot against the COVID-19 virus is effective against neutralizing the Omicron variant. A small study conducted by the company resulted in the conclusion which said that ’three doses provide a similar level of antibodies against Omicron to that of two doses against other variants’.

Researches across the world are still trying to figure out the effect of the new variant, initially detected in South Africa. WHO said earlier that vaccines should still work against severe Omicron cases.

Albert Bourla, Pfizer chief executive, said "Ensuring as many people as possible are fully vaccinated with the first two-dose series and a booster remains the best course of action to prevent the spread of Covid-19”. Pfizer also said that this is an initial study and they are still working to collect data and "evaluate real-world effectiveness".

The company is actively working on developing another vaccine that would be effective against the new variant. They said that it should be ready within 100 days for regulatory approval.

Currently, no significant data is available yet on how the Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and other jabs hold up against the new variant.