Study finds high levels of omicron-fighting antibodies four months after Pfizer booster

A new study shows high levels of coronavirus antibodies that fight the omicron variant four months after a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine, a positive sign of the durability of a booster shot.

That study from Researchers at Pfizer, BioNTech, and the University of Texas Medical Branch are showing antiviral antibodies that last four months after the third dose, and help answer the key question of how long the protection from the booster shot lasts.

Eric Topol, Professor of Molecular Medicine at Scripps Research, tweeted in response to the study that antibody levels were “unexpectedly still quite high” after four months, “which is great.”

There was still some decrease in antibody levels between one month and four months after the third dose, but the amount of decrease against omicron was similar to that against the original virus strain, Pfizer said.

Pei-Yong Shi, one of the authors of the study at the University of Texas Medical Branch, told The Washington Post that the study “shows that for at least up to four months, after dose three, there is still significant neutralizing activity against omicron.”

The results add to a growing body of evidence about the importance of booster shots, which health authorities are urging people to face an increase from the omicron variant.

Last week, a Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study found that a third shot was 90 percent effective against hospitalization, compared to just 57 per cent effectiveness against omicron for a person who is six months after their second shot.

“Protection against infection and hospitalization with the Omicron variant is highest for those who are updated with their vaccination, which means those who are boosted when they are eligible,” CDC chief Rochelle WalenskyRochelle Walensky Thousands go down to DC for anti-vaccine mandate rally. New CDC studies show that boosters provide strong protection against the omicron variant The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden speaks, Senate rejects MORE said last week. “There are still millions of people who are eligible for a booster dose and have not yet received one.”

There is still an open question as to how long the protection from a booster shot will last beyond four months. This information will help inform if and when a fourth shot may be needed.

Pfizer said Monday it would evaluate “an extra dose of both the current formulation and an Omicron-based vaccine,” going forward.