23rd Dec 2021 11:16
(Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC on Thursday announced data from a new laboratory study showing that a third dose of Vaxzevria significantly boosted levels of antibodies against the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Vaxzevria is the Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford.
In the study, the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker said that neutralisation titres for Omicron were raised following a third dose with Vaxzevria, compared to titres after a second dose. In addition, the levels after the third dose booster were higher than the neutralising antibodies found in those previously infected with and recovered naturally from the prior variants.
The study was performed by investigators at the University of Oxford, and analysed blood samples taken from people infected with Covid-19, those who had been vaccinated with a two-dose schedule and a third dose booster, and those who were previously infected by Covid variants of concern.
"Vaxzevria plays an important role in vaccination programmes around the world and these data give us confidence that the vaccine should be given as a third dose booster. It is also important to look beyond antibodies to better understand how vaccines offer protection against Omicron. As we better understand Omicron, we believe we will find that T-cell response provides durable protection against severe disease and hospitalisations," said Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of BioPharmaceuticals R&D.
Shares in AstraZeneca were 0.1% lower at 8,607.00 pence on Thursday in London.
By Dayo Laniyan; [email protected]
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