Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine provides partial protection against the new omicron coronavirus strain. This is reported by Bloomberg, citing a study by the African Health Research Institute in South Africa.
The loss of immune defenses is “severe, but not complete,” according to study leader Alex Sigal. In particular, infection with the new omicron strain leads to an approximately 40-fold decrease in antibodies that block viruses. The researchers noted that a booster dose of the vaccine could provide additional protection.
Earlier, Ralf Rene Reinert, vice president of the vaccine group at Pfizer, said in a conversation with the agency that company experts did not expect a significant decrease in the effectiveness of the drug.
On December 7, a virologist, doctor of medical sciences, professor, chief employee of the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Anatoly Altstein told Lente.ru that data on the effectiveness of vaccines against the new omicron strain of coronavirus can be obtained during this week.
