Pfizer says that their COVID-19 vaccine booster could help protect against the Omicron variant.
-Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said lab tests showed a booster dose of their COVID-19 vaccine greatly increased the level of so-called neutralizing antibodies against omicron.
Scientists believe that the jump in antibodies that comes with a third dose of the vaccine might be enough to counter any decrease in effectiveness.
Pfizer announced the preliminary laboratory data in a press release and it hasn’t yet undergone scientific review. The companies already are working to create an omicron-specific vaccine in case it’s needed.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said, “Although two doses of the vaccine may still offer protection against severe disease caused by the Omicron strain, it’s clear from these preliminary data that protection is maximized with a third dose of our vaccine.”
Pfizer’s announcement had an immediate impact on U.S. markets.
