The new omicron booster against the BA.4 and BA.5 sublines is significantly more effective than the original vaccine. This emerges from new data from Biontech.
Mainz – The new booster from the biological technology company Biontech has been approved in the EU since September. It contains active ingredients against the original Corona variant as well as against the Omicron sub-lines BA.4 and BA.5. The Mainz-based company has now published new data showing that the adapted vaccine against the new sublines is significantly more effective than the original vaccine.
Data from the ongoing clinical study show a four-fold increase in antibodies to BA.4 and BA.5 in those over 55 compared to those who only received a booster dose of the original vaccine. In both groups, the readings were taken one month after the booster vaccination.
Booster vaccination: New vaccine ensures a sharp increase in antibodies
A high increase in antibodies was also found in the 18 to 55 age group. The increase in the so-called titers was 9.5 times higher there than in the group with the original corona vaccine. For comparison: the increase in antibodies among those over 55 was even 13.2 times higher. A booster dose of the original vaccine resulted in only a 2.9-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies needed to combat the omicron sublineages in those over 55 years of age.
“We hope these additional results will encourage people to get their vaccination booster with the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the upcoming holiday,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said of the latest data. Pfizer produces and develops the mRNA vaccines against Covid-19 together with Biontech.
Video: The new Omikron booster has been approved since September
Corona vaccination: All vaccines are safe and well tolerated
Both vaccines, both the booster against Omikron and the original vaccine, have comparable safety and tolerability, as can be seen from the data. “Our goal is to build broad immunity against SARS-CoV-2-induced COVID-19 disease, including omicron and other circulating variants,” explains Uğur Şahin, the chief and co-founder of Biontech.
A recent survey showed that the majority of Germans over the age of 60 are willing to be vaccinated with the new booster. Meanwhile, China is starting to distribute an inhalation vaccine. (ij)
#Omicron #booster #significantly #effective #original #vaccine