Hong Kong researchers urge third COVID-19 shot after new Omicron study

Vials labelled “VACCINE Coronavirus COVID-19” and a syringe are seen in entrance of displayed phrases “OMICRON SARS-COV-2” on this illustration taken December 11, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

HONG KONG, Dec 15 (Reuters) – Researchers in Hong Kong have urged individuals to get a 3rd dose of COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as potential, after a research confirmed inadequate antibodies have been generated by the Sinovac (SVA.O) and BioNTech (22UAy.DE) merchandise to fend off Omicron.

Tuesday’s launch of the outcomes of a research by scientists within the microbiology division of the College of Hong Kong was the primary revealed preliminary knowledge on the influence of Sinovac’s vaccine in opposition to the Omicron variant of coronavirus.

Not one of the serum of the 25 Coronavac vaccine recipients contained adequate antibodies to neutralise the brand new variant, in keeping with the research, accepted for publication within the journal Medical Infectious Illnesses, the researchers stated.

Simply 5 of 25 BioNTech vaccine recipients had neutralising capability in opposition to Omicron, and vaccine effectivity was diminished considerably to twenty% to 24%, the research discovered.

“The general public is suggested to get a 3rd dose of the vaccine as quickly as potential whereas ready for the following era of a extra matched vaccine,” the researchers stated in a information launch.

The research, funded by the Hong Kong authorities, was carried out by microbiologists Yuen Kwok-yung, Kelvin To and Chen Honglin.

Sinovac didn’t instantly reply to questions on the research, however a spokesperson stated its personal laboratory testing confirmed a 3rd dose of its vaccine was efficient in producing Omicron antibodies.

BioNTech didn’t instantly reply to questions on the research.

The fast-spreading Delta variant stays dominant worldwide, and it’s unclear if Omicron is inherently extra contagious, the World Well being Group (WHO) stated in a quick on Sunday.

Scientists say it’s nonetheless too early to know if Omicron causes roughly extreme COVID-19 than earlier variants.

A research of real-world knowledge revealed on Tuesday confirmed Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine was much less efficient in South Africa at protecting out of hospital these contaminated with the virus because the Omicron variant emerged final month. read more

Final week, the 2 companies stated a three-dose course of their vaccine had neutralised Omicron in a laboratory take a look at, an early signal that booster pictures may very well be key for cover in opposition to it. read more

Reporting by Greg Torode and Roxanne Liu in Beijing; Enhancing by Clarence Fernandez

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.