Pfizer says booster provides strong protection against Omicron
Posted December 8, 2021 7:56 am.
Last Updated December 8, 2021 10:42 am.
Pfizer-BioNTech says its COVID-19 booster shot appears to provide strong protection against the Omicron variant.
The companies say preliminary lab tests suggest a third dose of its vaccine neutralizes antibodies to the new variant — comparable to the protection two doses provides against the original strain of COVID-19 and other variants.
“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 maximized with a third dose of our vaccine,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement.
The company says the booster shot appears to increase protection by 25-fold.
Pfizer-BioNTech are already working towards creating a Omicron-specific vaccine in the event it is required.
Pfizer’s announcement had an immediate impact on U.S. markets. Futures that had pointed to a lower open reversed course in seconds and swung solidly to the positive with the Dow jumping almost 200 points.
RELATED:
-
The risks of Omicron: How Pfizer and Moderna plan to mitigate fears over variant of concern
-
Canadian drugmaker says COVID-19 vaccine 71% effective against range of variants
-
‘Continued vigilance,’ Ontario extending pause on reopening plan
In Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) expanded its recommended eligibility for booster shots in response to reports of waning protection.
The new recommendation was released after an urgent request from the federal government for information on the role of COVID-19 vaccine boosters in fighting the new Omicron variant, though NACI had already been working on updated advice.
Both mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), were recently authorized for the use and distribution of booster shots by Health Canada. The agency says the booster is authorized for use in people 18 years and older, and is to be administered at least six months after a person has received their full course of vaccination against COVID-19.
With files from the Associated Press
