A research by professionals of different institutions, including Fiocruz and Oxford University, has shown that a third dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine increases levels of neutralizing antibodies against the omicron variant (B.1.1.529). The results of the study Omicron-B.1.1.529 leads to widespread escape from neutralizing antibody responses were published on the bioRxiv platform as preprint.

To get to the results, the study analyzed blood samples of people infected with Covid-19, people who have taken two doses and a booster shot, and those who reported previous infection by other variants of concern. Overall, 41 individuals took three doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and, as reported in the research, this represents additional protection against omicron infection.

This means that after the booster shot it is possible to observe a 2.7 increase in the presence of neutralizing antibodies for the main variant in circulation. The level of neutralization is similar to that for the alpha and delta variants after the secod dose and, for the researchers who participated in the paper, the results are encouraging even with the new challenge.

Another laboratory study reinforces the effect of the AstraZeneca vaccine against omicron. Called Broadly neutralizing overcome Sars-CoV-2 Omicon antigenic shift, the paper identified that individuals vaccinated with the two doses maintained a neutralizing action against the new variant, although with some reduction when compared with the original strain.

The AstraZeneca/Fiocruz vaccine has proven to be able to induce a diversified and long-lasting response against multiple variants. Don’t forget your booster shot. Get your vaccine!

With information of the Fiocruz News Agency.