Pfizer-BioNTech Says Third Dose of Vaccine Neutralizes Omicron Variant

Drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech SE claim that lab studies show that the third dose of their vaccine is necessary to neutralize the omicron variant.

Experts expect that these results will accelerate booster-shot drives around the world and possibly lead to the use of new strain-specific vaccines in the future.

The data, which has not yet been peer-reviewed or published, suggests that two shots of the vaccine may not be sufficient to prevent an omicron infection. A sentiment that substantiates recent findings published earlier this week by leading scientists in South Africa.

Both studies suggest that higher levels of antibodies are key-whether triggered by a booster shot or a previous infection in addition to vaccination to  restore protection against the virus.