Pfizer: "Booster Shot Needed for Omicron Defense Effectiveness"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] A study has found that receiving Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine booster shot strengthens protection against the Omicron COVID-19 variant to levels comparable to the original COVID-19. This means that just two doses of the vaccine provide reduced protection against Omicron.

On the 8th (local time), Pfizer and BioNTech announced initial experimental results regarding their vaccine's effectiveness against the Omicron variant.

In a joint statement, the two companies revealed that after two doses of their COVID-19 vaccine, receiving a booster shot increases neutralizing antibodies against Omicron by 25 times. They stated that the original two doses provided 95% protection against COVID-19.

Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, explained that while two doses of the vaccine can prevent severe symptoms caused by Omicron, it is clear that the booster shot enhances the preventive effect.

CEO Bourla said that Pfizer and BioNTech are conducting experiments on Omicron together and expect to confirm more accurate results within 1 to 2 weeks. He anticipated that by the end of this month, precise information on whether the booster shot is sufficient to prevent Omicron will be available.

Pfizer and BioNTech plan to complete development and supply of an Omicron-specific vaccine by March next year.

Previously, researchers in South Africa reported a study showing that even after two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, protection against Omicron decreases to 1/41, raising concerns.