Pfizer says three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine inactivates the Omicron variant

 

Pfizer says three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine inactivates the Omicron variant

According to preliminary lab study results, Pfizer and BioNTech said three doses of their Covid-19 vaccine neutralize the omicron coronavirus variant.

The data showed that a third dose of the vaccine increased neutralizing antibodies 25-fold compared to two doses, reinforcing the condition and the need for booster doses.

The companies said preliminary data indicated that three doses provide a similar antibody level as observed after two doses versus other variants seen before Omicron.

Two doses of the vaccine showed a 25-fold decrease in neutralizing antibodies against Omicron compared to the other variants, indicating that two quantities "may not be sufficient" for protection.

The companies added that the development of the Omicron vaccine is progressing and is expected to be available by March 2022 if such an adaptation ends up being the case.

"The takeaways from the Pfizer update underscore our belief that the sales strength of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccines remains underappreciated by the street," said analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald. They classified the stock as overweight, with a target price of $61, indicating an 18% increase from Tuesday's closing price.

Another study, published late Tuesday, suggested that Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine offers partial protection against the Omicron variant.

The small laboratory study in South Africa suggested that the variant escapes the antibody immunity induced by the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine but that "significant immunity" is retained.

"The result is likely to be less protection due to the vaccine against infection and disease," said the Executive Director of Health Research in Africa, Professor Willem Hanekom.

"Importantly, most vaccine experts agree that current vaccines will continue to protect against severe disease and death in the face of omicron infection," he added. The study was small, including blood samples from just 12 participants, but it is the first result of coronavirus vaccines against the Omicron variant.

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