Early today Pfizer and BioNTech announced that initial lab tests show three doses of their COVID-19 vaccine neutralize the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, while two doses demonstrated significantly reduced neutralization titers.The companies said they believe two doses will still be protective against severe disease.
The companies also said they began developing an Omicron-specific vaccine on Nov 25, and plan to have that vaccine ready for mass distribution by March 2022.
Pfizer and BioNTech said they will produce 1 billion COVID-19 vaccines next year."Although two doses of the vaccine may still offer protection against severe disease caused by the Omicron strain, it's clear from these preliminary data that protection is improved with a third