Pfizer has confirmed that its Covid-19 vaccines still work against the Omicron variant after three doses.
On Wednesday Pfizer and BioNTech revealed results from a lab test that demonstrates their vaccine can neutralise the variant of concern.
In an official statement, the pharmaceutical company said that two vaccine doses resulted in significantly lower neutralising antibodies, but that the third dose of their vaccine increased the neutralising antibodies by a factor of 25 fold.
According to the companies’ initial data, a third dose provides a similar level of neutralising antibodies to Omicron as is observed after two doses against wild-type and other variants.
The results included blood taken from people who received a booster vaccine a month ago, and showed the booster was as effective at fighting Covid as two doses was.
Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla, shared: “Although two doses of the vaccine may still offer protection against severe disease caused by the Omicron strain, it’s clear from these preliminary data that protection is improved with a third dose of our vaccine.
“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.”
On November 25, Pfizer and BioNTech started developing an Omicron-specific Covid-19 vaccine.
The development is expected to continue as planned in the event that a vaccine adaption is needed to increase the level and duration of protection against Omicron.
The company added: “First batches of the Omicron-based vaccine can be produced and will be ready if needed for March 2022.”
Ugur Sahin, M.D., CEO and Co-Founder of BioNTech commented on the update: “Our preliminary, first dataset indicates that a third dose could still offer a sufficient level of protection from disease of any severity caused by the Omicron variant.
“Broad vaccination and booster campaigns around the world could help us to better protect people everywhere and to get through the winter season. We continue to work on an adapted vaccine which, we believe, will help to induce a high level of protection against Omicron-induced COVID-19 disease as well as prolonged protection compared to the current vaccine.”
