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Vaccinations against COVID-19 with a booster dose in Poland are carried out with mRNA preparations. This means that patients can choose between the vaccine from Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna. Which of them is more effective against the coronavirus, especially its new variant – Omicron? Here are the results of the latest studies of both vaccines.
- Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna have checked the effectiveness of their vaccines against a new variant of the coronavirus, Omikron
- Research shows that protection is weaker compared to previous SARS-CoV-2 strains, but it increases significantly after taking a booster dose (booster)
- These data are verified by scientists from around the world who study, inter alia, blood samples of vaccinated people who became infected with COVID-19. The results of these studies are surprising
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
What do vaccine manufacturers say?
Both Pfizer and Moderna are successively subjecting their vaccines to tests aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the preparation, including against new mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The first of these companies recently announced that while two doses may not provide sufficient protection against Omicron, a booster dose significantly enhances such protection. In laboratory tests, protection against coronavirus after taking the Comirnata booster increased up to 25 times.
Moreover, blood tests taken one month after the booster dose of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine showed that the levels of antibodies neutralizing the new variant were similar to those obtained after two doses given to protect against the previously dominant variants.
Too Moderna announced that its vaccine booster provides sufficient protection against Omicron. The manufacturer’s research shows that the 50 mg dose of the booster increases the level of antibodies 37 times compared to the level before vaccination. Whereas 100 mg of a booster dose increases antibodies by 83 times.
What is the result of testing samples of people infected with Omikron?
The results of the laboratory tests are complemented by the analysis of blood samples of vaccinated people, the authors of which checked how the antibodies present in it deal with the new variant of the coronavirus.
A team of researchers from the Africa Health Research Institute, led by prof. Alexa Sigala, analyzed the blood samples of 12 patients who had previously received the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine. The researchers tested to what extent the antibodies generated by the vaccine blocked the Omicron’s ability to infect cells.
As a result of the study, it was discovered 41-fold decrease in the ability of the antibodies to neutralize the new variant compared to the original virus, as well as a drastic reduction in the effect of the vaccine relative to other variants, including Beta, which previously dominated South Africa.
- See also: “The action of vaccines is the exercise of the army by maneuvering with a harmless opponent”
Is infection despite vaccination a recipe for super immunity?
This would mean that vaccinated people may experience so-called breakthrough infections, i.e. diseases despite receiving the vaccine. But The fact that COVID-19 is possible despite vaccination doesn’t have to be bad news. This is evidenced by the findings of scientists at Oregon Health & Science University, which showed that people who contract the SARS-CoV-2 virus after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can become “super immune” to the virus.
- Also read: Should I get the third dose if I have antibodies?
During the study, blood was drawn from 52 university employees who had received the Pfizer vaccine. 26 of them developed a mild, breakthrough infection after vaccination. Delta was detected in 10 people, and the rest were infected with other variants of the coronavirus. Finally protection against SARS-CoV-2 in these people was a thousand times greater than that generated two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
In turn, the Mayo Clinic study, which was conducted among Florida residents, published in August, shows that the risk of a breakthrough infection in people vaccinated with Moderna was 60 percent. lower than in patients given Pfizer. Similar data was obtained in Minnesota, where Moderna was found to be effective in preventing COVID-19 infection in 72% and Pfizer in 42%.
In addition, the authors of the study found that while both vaccines “strongly protect” against severe infection (the analyzes were on Delta), the difference was whether the vaccinated would become infected at all.
Both companies point out that the effectiveness of vaccines declines over time, and this is natural. Moderna announced that its vaccine six months after the second dose is 93% effective, while Pfizer and BioNTech reported that protection against coronavirus after the second dose of their preparation drops to 84% after six months. Both manufacturers are working on improving their products in terms of better protection against new SARS-CoV-2 mutations. Other companies also reported research on similar preparations.
- See also: AstraZeneca is working on a vaccine for Omikron
Do you want to test your COVID-19 immunity after vaccination? Have you been infected and want to check your antibody levels? See the COVID-19 immunity test package, which you will perform at Diagnostics network points.
The editorial board recommends:
- The FDA warns: Antigen tests are less likely to detect the Omikron variant
- How many children died in the US after being infected with Omicron? Hospitals are filling up, doctors are sounding the alarm
- Research: Omicron resistant to known antibodies. It can run away from vaccines
- Highest number of infections in the world since the start of the pandemic. Guilty Omikron?
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