Preliminary laboratory studies demonstrate that three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine neutralise the Omicron variant.
Two doses, however, show 'significantly reduced neutralisation titers' - which means the concentration of antibodies is lower than with three jabs.
READ MORE: PMQS LIVE as Boris Johnson faces grilling over No 10 Christmas party following video leak
Early data indicates that a third dose of the vaccine increases the antibodies neutralising Omicron by 25-fold compared to two doses, according to Pfizer and BioNTech, giving a high level of protection.
However, two doses may still induce protection against severe disease, the companies confirmed this morning (December 8).
The companies are continuing to development a variant-specific vaccine for Omicron and expect to have it available by March in the event that an adaption is needed to further increase the level and duration of protection.
There is expected to be no change to the companies’ four billion dose capacity for 2022.
The pharmaceutical groups say individuals who received two doses of the current Covid-19 vaccine did exhibit, on average, more than a 25-fold reduction in neutralisation antibodies against the Omicron variant, indicating that two doses of the vaccine may not be sufficient to protect against infection with the Omicron variant.
A more robust protection may be achieved by a third dose as data from additional studies by the companies indicate that a booster with the current COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech increases the antibody concentrations by 25-fold - a similar level of protection that two vaccines gave against the coronavirus before the emergence of Omicron.
“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,” said Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer.
“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.”
“Our preliminary, first dataset indicate that a third dose could still offer a sufficient level of protection from disease of any severity caused by the Omicron variant,” said Ugur Sahin, M.D., CEO and Co-Founder of BioNTech.
“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 a prolonged protection compared to the current vaccine.”
While these results are preliminary, the companies say they are continuing to collect more laboratory data and evaluate real-world effectiveness to assess and confirm protection against Omicron.
On November 25, the companies started to develop an Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine. First batches of the Omicron-based vaccine can be produced and are planned to be ready for deliveries within 100 days, pending regulatory approval, say Pfizer and BioNTech.
The companies have also previously initiated clinical trials with variant-specific vaccines (Alpha, Beta, Delta & Alpha/Delta Mix) and data from these studies will be submitted to regulatory agencies around the world to help accelerate the process of adapting the vaccine and gaining regulatory authorisation or approval of an Omicron-specific vaccine, if needed.
