The Pfizer and Biontech vaccine against COVID-19 gives less immunity to Omicron, which is thought to be more contagious than it did two years ago.
That’s according to a study by the African Institute for Health Research in Durban, South Africa, the country where Omicron was detected and has the largest data set because of the large number of people infected. The same laboratory also isolated Beta (the other variant discovered in South Africa, detected at the end of last year and so far considered to be the highest risk of immune breakthrough).
The levels of neutralizing antibodies in people with two doses are nearly 40 times lower than in the Wuhan version.
So far, these data confirm that Omicron is able to bypass vaccines, as shown by the relatively large proportion of immunized people among the cases found in South Africa and around the world.
–
“Serious but not complete” is the loss of the immune response, according to Alex Seagal, who leads research at the institute. In an online presentation for which tells Bloomberg says a good booster dose is likely to reduce the risk of infection, especially severe. This confirms the attitude of the previous one a South African study presented last week.
“People who don’t have a booster dose have to put it on, and people who have been infected have to get vaccinated.”
–
Africa Health Research Institute
—
According to Bloomberg, this study could add fuel to the debate over modifications to vaccines that may be needed to control the virus, especially because of Omicron. Pfizer and other manufacturers are ready to provide them within months.
At the same time, the sharp increase in cases in South Africa is not flooding hospitals with patients so far and this is a cause for optimism, the agency continued.
–
