Omicron: two doses give little protection but no proof to cause disease

The research also noted two doses of AstraZeneca and Pfizer are slightly effective against symptomatic conditions than they are against Delta.

On Monday, the draft research from Oxford university verified that two doses of AstraZeneca or Pfizer offer small protection against getting contaminated with Omicron. Even in some cases none at all.

Omicron: two doses give little protection but no proof to cause disease

It reinforces the discoveries from the UK Health Security Agency last Friday. The research also noted two doses of AstraZeneca and Pfizer are slightly effective against symptomatic conditions than they are against Delta.

No evidence shows Omicron raised risk of severe disease

However, Professor Gavin Screaton, lead author, spoke “No evidence for raised risk of severe disease, or death, from the virus amongst vaccinated populations. But, we must stay cautious, as more lavish case numbers will still set a significant load on healthcare systems.”

Adjusting vaccines to target Omicron and Delta in the future

The researchers also recommended that adjusting vaccines to target Omicron could stop them from performing against Delta.

It means future vaccines should be multi-strain effective, as the flu jab.

Professor Matthew Snape, the co-author, added “Importantly, we have not yet reckoned the effect of a ‘third dose’ booster, which we understand quite improves antibody concentrations, and it is potential that this will show to improved potency against the Omicron variant.”