[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 strain. This means that just two doses of the vaccine provide reduced effectiveness against Omicron. Additionally, there is speculation that a fourth vaccine dose may need to be administered quickly.
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 this level corresponds to the 95% COVID-19 prevention efficacy observed after the initial two doses.
Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, explained that while two doses of the vaccine can prevent severe symptoms caused by Omicron, receiving a booster shot clearly significantly enhances the protective effect.
CEO Bourla said that Pfizer and BioNTech are conducting experiments on Omicron together and expect to confirm more precise results within one to two weeks. He projected that by the end of this month, accurate 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 that even after two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, the effectiveness against Omicron drops to 1/41, raising concerns.
In an interview with CNBC on the same day, CEO Bourla said, "We need to see more precise analysis results to determine the duration of the booster shot's effectiveness. It may be necessary to administer a fourth vaccine dose sooner than expected." Currently, booster shots can be given six months after the second dose for recipients of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
CNBC reported that CEO Bourla had previously expected the timing of the fourth vaccine dose to be about 12 months after the third dose.
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