New research has found that a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine could produce sufficient antibodies to 'neutralize' the Omicron variant.
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New research out of Europe has found that a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine could produce sufficient antibodies to
"neutralize" the Omicron variant.
Researchers from the Institut Pasteur and Vaccine Research Institute in France, together with KU Leuven in Belgium and Orléans Regional Hospital, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou (AP-HP), Inserm and the CNRS, also in France, studied the sensitivity of Omicron to antibodies.
The results showed that the Omicron variant appeared resistant to most monoclonal antibodies, or those
made in a lab to fight an infection, as well as antibodies produced in people fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines or who were previously infected with COVID-19.
But after administering a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine, or a single vaccine dose to those previously infected, the researchers found this led to a "significant" increase in antibodies, sufficient to neutralize Omicron.
"We now need to study the length of protection of the booster dose," said Olivier Schwartz, co-author of the study and head of the virus and immunity unit at the Institute Pasteur.
"The vaccines probably become less effective in offering protection against contracting the virus, but they should continue to protect against severe forms."
While believed to be more transmissible than the previous Delta variant, and capable of spreading to those who are vaccinated or have been previously infected, evidence has shown that Omicron may be less likely to result in severe illness or hospitalization, particularly for people who are fully vaccinated.
However, the rapid spread of Omicron has raised concerns about its potential to impact hospital capacity and staffing.
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