Covid-19 vaccines developed to date induce less neutralizing antibodies against omicron than against other variants of the new coronavirus, concluded one study of researchers from the United Kingdom released on Monday and that will still be reviewed by experts. The results point to a good immunity generated by the booster dose.
The work, prepared by the University of Oxford, indicates that, although there is no evidence that the omicron poses a greater risk of serious illness or death, the lower effectiveness of vaccines makes more likely “an increase in infections among people who have already had the virus and among the vaccinated”.
Thus, promoting the application of immunization agents among the entire population and boosting doses “remain the priorities, with the aim of reducing transmission levels and the potential for serious diseases” of the virus, the statement said.
To carry out the study, the researchers used blood samples from volunteers, vaccinated with the immunizing agent developed by the University of Oxford and the company AstraZeneca, as well as by the alliance Pfizer and BioNTech, in order to analyze the immune response against omicron.
It was proven that, in face of the new variant, there was a “substantial drop” in the level of neutralizing antibodies generated – the antibodies that bind to a virus and interfere with its ability to infect a cell.
“These data are important but they’re just part of the picture. They only look at neutralizing antibodies after the second dose, but they don’t tell us about cellular immunity, and that too will be tested,” explained Matthew Snape, a researcher at Oxford University and co. -author of the study.
On Sunday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said two doses of vaccine “may not be enough” against omicron.
Last week, three separate studies, including one by Pfizer, reached similar conclusions about the fall in protection of two doses of vaccines against omicrons.
Experts point out that “currently, there is no evidence to indicate that (the omicron) has a greater potential to cause serious illness, hospitalization or death among the vaccinated population.”
Gavin Screaton, lead author of the study, says “these data will be helpful to those developing vaccines and vaccination strategies.”
“Although there is no evidence of an increased risk of serious illness or death from the virus in vaccine populations, we must remain cautious, as the increase in infections will put pressure on the health system,” said the researcher.
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