Pfizer has begun a study comparing its original COVID-19 vaccine with doses specifically adjusted to accommodate the extremely contagious variant of Omicron.
Pfizer and partner BioNTech announced the study on Tuesday.
COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers have been updating their shots to be more compliant with Omicron in case global health authorities decide a change is necessary.
Although Omicron is more likely to cause infection than previous variants even in vaccinated individuals, it is not yet clear that a change in the vaccine formulation is needed.
The original vaccines still provide good protection against severe illness and death. Studies in the US and elsewhere have shown that adding a booster dose increases protection and improves your chances of avoiding a milder infection.
“We recognize the need to be prepared in the event that this protection weakens over time and potentially helps address Omicron and its variables,” said Kathrin Jansen, Pfizer’s vaccine research team lead. new body in the future”.
New US research is engaging up to 1,420 healthy adults, ages 18 to 55, to test updated Omicron-based shots for use as a booster or primary immunization. The researchers will test the safety of the refined vaccine and how it restores the immune system compared to the original shots.
In one study group, about 600 volunteers who received two doses of the current Pfizer vaccine three to six months ago will receive one or two shots based on Omicron as a booster. Another 600 people who have had three doses of the regular Pfizer vaccine will receive a fourth dose of the regular vaccine or an Omicron-matched version.
The study will also enroll a number of unvaccinated volunteers who will receive three doses of the omicron-based vaccine.
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