Covid-19 Study: Omicron Variant Is Immune to Immunisations, Antibody Therapies, and Boosters

By Jessa Martin On Dec 22, 2021

According to a new study conducted by Columbia University researchers, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is “markedly resistant” to the current COVID-19 vaccines, antibody treatments, and booster shots, prompting experts to express concern about what the variant may do in the coming weeks if left untreated.

“We discovered that (omicron) was significantly resistant to neutralization by serum from convalescent patients, as well as from persons who had received one of the four widely used COVID-19 vaccines,” the researchers wrote.

According to the study, “even serum from people who had been vaccinated and boosted with mRNA-based vaccinations had significantly reduced neutralizing activity against B.1.1.529,” which was carried out by researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the University of Hong Kong.

Additionally, according to the Columbia University study — which has not been peer-reviewed or edited for publication in a scientific journal, indicating that it is not conclusive data — monoclonal antibody combinations were shown to be ineffective against omicron.

According to the findings of the study, natural antibodies from prior COVID-19 infections do not aid in the prevention of the virus’ spread.
Although the study recommends immunization and booster doses to protect against the coronavirus variant, it does not specify how often these should be given.

Indeed, as reported for the Deseret News, preliminary statistics and studies on the Omicron version indicate that the Omicron variant is associated with less severe COVID-19 symptoms and fewer hospitalizations among people infected with the virus.

However, the new COVID-19 variant can resist COVID-19 immunizations, resulting in outbreaks of illness among those who have been fully vaccinated. In fact, it has been demonstrated that patients who have received two vaccinations but have not received a booster shot are at risk of contracting omicron.

Still, specialists advise getting vaccinated and getting a booster dose to ensure that you are protected against omicron.

In the words of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s medical adviser on the coronavirus, “our booster vaccine regimens are effective against omicron.”