COVID: Risk of reinfection increases with Omicron, UK study finds

According to a new British study, COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna that use mRNA technology enhance antibody levels the most when given 10-12 weeks after the second dosage. The experiment is the first to look at how well COVID booster vaccines perform, and it backs up the UK's decision to use these two vaccines for boosters in the first place.

To some extent, all the vaccinations studied increased immunity to COVID. According to the researchers, there were optimistic signals that the boosters will continue to protect against Omicron-related sickness and death. The study found out that even a half dose of Pfizer may be used to raise populations and make vaccination supplies last longer.

mRNA booster jabs for the win

All seven vaccines tested were deemed to be safe, with just minor side effects such as headache and fatigue. When given after two doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca, all seven vaccines increased immunity. Whereas six were effective after two doses of Pfizer, but some worked better than others. Overall, the mRNA vaccines—Moderna and Pfizer—provided the most effective boost to antibodies.

They also boost the T-cells, which are known to be essential contributors to vaccine effectiveness, especially after two initial doses of AstraZeneca. Not only this, but these are equally effective for people over as well as under the age of 70. As such, the UK has ordered an additional 114 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to be distributed over the following two years.

Annual jabs for years to come

Boosters can reduce the risk of infection by up to 93 per cent. While scientists learn more about the Omicron version, all adults over the age of 18 in the UK are being provided with a booster shot of Pfizer or Moderna. Pfizer's CEO stated earlier this week that booster jabs against COVID-19 may become an annual thing.

The study discovered a 30-fold increase in antibody levels after a Moderna booster and a 25-fold increase after a Pfizer booster in people who had received two doses of AstraZeneca. Further, after two doses of Pfizer which provides higher baseline protection, the booster shots raised immunity the best. According to the researchers, all variants of the virus elicited a significant reaction. Hence, they believe the same effect will be translated into protection against Omicron as well.