Third Dose of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Is Critical to Increase Neutralizing Antibodies Against Omicron

A booster dose of BNT162b or mRNA-1273 vaccine enhanced cross-reactive antibody responses sufficient to neutralize the Omicron variant.

The three vaccines available in the U.S. have been successful in inducing humoral and cellular immunity sufficient to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and significantly reduce severe COVID-19. However, the Omicron variant harbors 36 spike protein mutations that attenuate vaccine-driven immunity. Garcia-Beltran et al. measured neutralization potency of sera from 239 recipients of BNT162b, mRNA-1273, or Ad26.COV2.S (Johnson & Johnson) against wild-type, Delta, and Omicron genetically engineered SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses. Sixty-three participants had received a third dose of mRNA vaccine.

Consistent with prior studies, recipients of the primary mRNA vaccine series demonstrated significantly higher titers against wild-type virus than did Ad26.COV2.S recipie…

Reviewing Author

George Sakoulas, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParatek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.; AbbVie; Shionogi

Speaker’s BureauAllergan/AbbVie; Paratek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; Open Forum Infectious Diseases