Omicron variant in 57 countries. Pfizer: “Third dose vaccine stops it”

The Omicron variant continues to spread and is now present in 57 countries – including Italy where 3 other cases have been sequenced – according to news released by WHO. The World Health Organization is not unbalanced on symptoms, dangers and contagiousness compared to the Delta variant. However, the Pfizer vaccine can stop the new variant, as the company says: the third dose neutralizes Omicron and offers high protection. In all likelihood, the pharmaceutical company says, a fourth dose will also be needed. Information released by one of the mRna vaccine manufacturers constitutes a first breakthrough pending further elements, data and information on the variant discovered in November in South Africa. Read also PFIZER VACCINE, THREE DOSES BEAT OMICRON “To be clear: three doses of the vaccine are as effective against Omicron as the two doses were effective against the other variants. The booster dose greatly increases the effectiveness of the vaccine,” says Albert Bourla , CEO of Pfizer, illustrating the data collected by the company. As the giant clarifies in a note, “two doses can still provide protection against the severe form of the disease” but “may not be enough to protect against the infection” caused by Omicron. The information provided by Pfizer comes a few hours after the first data of a study conducted in South Africa. The Pfizer vaccine, with the two standard doses, may be less effective against the Omicron variant, researchers at the Africa Health Research Institute have found. “Preliminary results of laboratory studies show that 3 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine neutralize the Omicron variant while 2 doses show significantly reduced neutralization capacity. The data indicate that the third dose increases neutralizing antibody titers by 25-fold compared to second dose, “says Pfizer who, together with BioNTech, continue” to advance the development of a variant-specific vaccine and aim to have it available by March in case the update is needed for a further increase in levels and duration of protection. “At NBC, Bourla goes further:” When we see the data collected in the real world, we will see if Omicron is well covered by the third dose and for how long. I think we will need a fourth dose. ” After 12 months compared to the third administration? “We have to wait and see, we have very little information. We may need it sooner.” WHO: “MEASURES AGAINST OMICRON BEFORE FULL HOSPITALS” There is not enough evidence to say that Omicron, apparently more communicable, causes a milder disease. “The Omicron variant has been identified in 57 countries, we expect the number to continue to increase. Some features of Omicron suggest that the variant could have a major impact during the course of the pandemic. If countries wait until hospitals have started to fill up, it will be too late “, warns WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus” It is difficult to determine what the impact of the variant will be. We are starting to see a picture of rapid increase in transmission, although for now it remains difficult to quantify the rate of growth in relation to other variants. In South Africa the number of Omicron variant cases is increasing rapidly. However, Omicron was identified when the transmission of the Delta variant was very low, so it had little competition, “he continues, postponing each verdict. . “It will therefore be important to carefully monitor what is happening in the world to understand if Omicron can replace Delta. We urge all countries to step up tracing, testing, sequencing. Our diagnostic tools work, both molecular and rapid swabs. Data from South Africa suggests an increased risk of reinfection with Omicron, but more data is needed to have clearer conclusions. Some evidence suggests that Omicron causes milder symptoms than Delta, but it is still too early for definitive claims, “he says again.