Corona: Booster vaccination probably protects against omicron longer than previously thought

Created: 01/25/2022, 16:29

By: Kerstin Kesselgruber

Amidst the confusion surrounding the Omicron variant, a new study by Biontech/Pfizer on booster vaccinations against the corona virus offers a small ray of hope.

Mainz/New York – The omicron variant sets new records for new corona infections and incidences in Germany every day. The Robert Koch Institute gave the seven-day incidence on Tuesday (January 25, 2022) as 894.3*. 126,955 new corona infections were reported. In the past few weeks, study results have caused concern, saying that even a booster vaccination could no longer protect against an omicron infection after a few weeks*. However, other research has shown that the booster still reliably helps against serious illnesses and hospital stays*.

Now a new study by Biontech/Pfizer in cooperation with the University of Texas is to show that a booster with the vaccine from Biontech most commonly used in Germany still provides adequate protection against the omicron variant* four months later.

A team of scientists examined the antibodies in the blood of vaccinated people.

The study has so far only been published as a preprint and still has to go through various verification steps before its results can be considered valid.

But she already gives the first potentially significant clue.

Omikron: Booster vaccination protects for at least four months

A fourth vaccination against Corona * might not be necessary again immediately after the first booster, reports the Washington Post, among other things.

Professor Pei-Yong Shi, one of the University of Texas researchers involved, said the study shows that "at least four months after the third dose, there is significant neutralizing activity against omicrons."

A new study by Biontech/Pfizer is intended to show that a booster vaccination with the pharmaceutical giant's vaccine still provides adequate protection against the omicron variant of the coronavirus four months later.

© Martin Wagner/Imago Images

According to the study results, the antibody level against omicron in the blood drops.

However, according to Shi, it remained high enough four months later to protect against the variant.

"The data support a three-dose vaccination strategy and provide a first insight into the duration of neutralization against omicron," the study states.

Corona vaccination against Omikron: It is unclear what happens to antibodies after four months

As the Washington Post quotes Shane Crotty, a vaccine expert at the La Jolla Institute of Immunology in California, the question remains whether the antibody level will continue to fall after these four months after the corona booster vaccination or will eventually reach a certain level stabilize.

Meanwhile, Biontech/Pfizer released a statement about another study published in the journal Science.

This study on 51 vaccinated people shows that two vaccine doses against an infection with the omicron variant are not sufficient, but three are.

Nevertheless, two vaccinations should protect against severe courses.

Biontech/Pfizer* also announced on Tuesday (January 25, 2022) the start of a first clinical study for a special corona vaccine against the omicron variant.

According to Pfizer boss Albert Bourla, the pharmaceutical giant could apply for approval for the vaccine as early as March.

(kke)