Early results show that omicron significantly reduces vaccine effectiveness, but booster should help
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New data from a pair of laboratory tests shows that the level of antibodies produced by the combination of the Pfizer/BioNTech and the omicron variant of COVID-19 is significantly reduced. However, those who have received a booster shot may enjoy about the saEarly results show that omicron significantly reduces vaccine effectiveness, but booster should help
New data from a pair of laboratory tests shows that the level of antibodies produced by the combination of the Pfizer/BioNTech and the omicron variant of COVID-19 is significantly reduced. However, those who have received a booster shot may enjoy about the same level of protection against omicron that those with the initial two-shot regime had against delta. From its first detection, the number of genetic differences found in the omicron variant raised concerns that it would be more evasive of vaccines, as well as of antibodies produced through past infection. That suspicion seemed to be borne out in South Africa, where the number of people getting reinfected after previously being ill with a different variant appears to be much higher than at any point in the past. That left the question of how much protection is being provided by vaccines. The number of people seeing “breakthrough” infections in South Africa is relatively low, but then, so is the vaccination rate. It was difficult to determine what level of protection is being provided to those who got a jab. Or two. Or three. Overnight, tests in both South Africa and Germany show that the level of antibody expression against omicron is 37 to 41 times lower than against other variants. Even so, the level of antibodies produced is still high enough to have an impact, and those who have been fully vaccinated—especially those who are a few weeks past receiving a booster—can still expect to see a significant level of protection. Read more
