As concern about the Omicron variant lessens on risk markets, health authorities are moving from cautious to hopeful even as the initial scientific studies has not yet provided a clear-cut answer to its efficacy.
Pfizer has indicated that a third booster shot of their vaccine should provide a substantial increase in antibodies capable of fighting off the Omicron variant. They hope to have a dedicated vaccine ready by March 2022. More from ABC:
Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said two doses may not be strong enough to prevent infection.
But they said lab tests showed a booster produced a 25-fold increase in the levels of antibodies capable of fighting off Omicron.
For people who haven’t yet had a booster, the companies said two doses should still prevent severe disease or death.
Health authorities in the United States and other countries had been urging eligible people to get a third dose even before these results.
“Go and get your third boost as soon as possible,” Dr Mikael Dolsten, Pfizer’s chief scientific officer said.
“We now have a plan that will induce immunity that is likely to protect from infection, symptomatic illness and severe disease from now across the entire winter season.”
Pfizer’s findings, announced in a press release, are preliminary and have not yet undergone scientific review.
Unfortunately we get the nexus/Venn diagram of people wanting instant answers to complex questions, fear and doubt over historically proven long term vaccination programs, real concerns over the greed of US pharmaceutical behemoths, and scientists wanting more time to gather data and come up with viable (but not perfect) solutions. Oh and a 24 hour media cycle plus toxic social media bullshit to stir the pot.
Anyway, the vaccination rollouts in Australia are doing well comparative to other Western nations with the nation almost fully vaccinated by early 2022: