The Omicron variant, which appeared in the past weeks, caused concerns all over the world. The variant, which the World Health Organization described as “worrying”, has spread rapidly all over the world since the first day it was seen, causing many countries to turn to new restrictions. The effect of the developed COVID vaccines against Omicron, which has more than 10 mutations, was a matter of curiosity.
After the variant emerged, pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Moderna stated that the effectiveness of their vaccines was being investigated. A study we shared recently revealed that the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may have little effect against the variant, that two doses of the vaccine caused a significant decrease in antibody capabilities, so additional vaccines may be needed. Now, a new study has been published showing the effect of the third dose of BioNTech vaccine against Omicron.
The booster vaccine provides 75% protection against the variant
Research led by the UK’s National Health Safety Agency has shown that the ‘third dose’ Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, also called a booster vaccine, is effective against the variant. Experts once again emphasized the importance of booster vaccines by stating that the third dose of BioNTech vaccine provides 75% protection against Omicron.
In the study, the scientists analyzed data collected from 581 Omicrons and thousands of Delta cases. In the examinations, the effects of a single dose of AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine against the variant were analyzed. Moderna and Johnson&Johnson vaccines were not included in the study due to ‘lack of data’.
“It will infect 1 million people by the end of this month”
In the examinations, it was revealed that the third dose of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was 75% effective against the variant. In addition, this study confirmed the research we mentioned at the beginning of the article, which showed that the ability of antibodies formed in people who had been vaccinated for two doses decreased in the ability to expel the virus.
The Omicron variant, which originated in South Africa, will continue to spread rapidly around the world and will infect more than 1 million people by the end of this month, according to scientists. In addition, it was stated in the statements that the new variant will create most of the cases identified in the UK as of the middle of this month. For this reason, experts once again urged people to be vaccinated and drew attention to the importance of the third dose of vaccine.
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