The Covid-19 booster dose offers good protection against Omicron

The Covid-19 booster dose offers good protection against Omicron: report. 

London Laboratory findings show that the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine raises antibody levels to neutralize the Omicron variant.

The Lancet published a research letter by researchers from UCLH Biomedical Research and the Francis Crick Institute. 

They found that Omicron variant antibodies were less effective than those generated in patients who received two doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines.

The researchers also discovered that antibodies dropped three months following the second dose. 

MORE: During the Omicron wave, Germany saw a record number of Covid-19-related infections.

But that a third booster dose increased levels of antibodies that effectively neutralized the Omicron variant.

After three doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, antibodies against Omicron were comparable to levels attained against Delta in people who had already received two doses.

The antibody levels against Omicron were almost 2.5x higher after three doses than after two.

People waiting in line at vaccination centers should know that boosters of vaccines are the best way to protect them against Omicron.

Emma Wall, the UCLH infectious diseases consultant, said that people who have not had a booster or even their first dose of vaccine can still get one.

“This new variant is capable of overcoming the immune blockade created by the two vaccine doses. However, thankfully, the third dose has neutralizing solid activity in the vast majority. 

She added that a third dose strengthens our defenses, making it more difficult for the virus to cause severe Covid-19.

The study involved the analysis of 620 blood samples taken from 364 participants.

People who received two doses of the vaccine had higher antibodies against the Omicron variant. However, they also reported having previously experienced Covid-19 symptoms.

Researchers also discovered that Xevudy, a synthetic monoclonal antibody recently approved for use in preventing and treating severe Covid-19 disease, could neutralize the Omicron variant.