Fact Check: Assessing COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Against Omicron Variant
Mostly True
Most COVID-19 vaccines have proven less effective against neutralizing the Omicron variant,, but they still prevent severe illness and death. Third doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines also provide significantly increased protection against the variant.
In just a couple of weeks, Omicron has overtaken Delta as the primary COVID-19 in the US, accounting for 73% of all cases in the country. With rising cases, even amongst vaccinated individuals, and a stressed healthcare system, concerns have been growing around the effectiveness of vaccines and how much they will protect against the new variant.
While data around the world is still being collected and analyzed, preliminary reports have stated that most vaccines, from China’s Sinopharm and Sinovac to AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, reportedly have limited capability against preventing infection. So far, a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines seem 70 – 75% effective at neutralizing and preventing infection from the Omicron strain. In fact, the 50-microgram booster dose of the Moderna vaccine increases neutralizing antibodies by 37 times as compared to a two dose regimen, and 25 times for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
However, preliminary research shows that T cells generated from the vaccine still recognize the virus and can help prevent severe illness and death. All currently available vaccines have at best a 70% chance of preventing severe disease.
While all the vaccines currently available globally are relatively safe and efficient, the CDC does recommend the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines over Johnson & Johnson because of the latter’s reduced efficacy in addition to its link to rare blood clots in adults.
The claim that the COVID-19 vaccines are not worthwhile against the Omicron surge is False. Overall, vaccines remain the best way to curb the spread of COVID-19, protect communities, and protect from severe illness and stressing hospitals, making them incredibly useful and vital to ending the pandemic. To schedule your vaccine or booster shot, visit www.vaccines.gov.
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References and Further Reading:
Jonathan Franklin. NPR. Omicron is now the dominant COVID strain in the U.S., making up 73% of new infections. 20 December 2021.
Melissa Hawkins. PBS News Hour. How effective are COVID-19 vaccines against omicron? | PBS NewsHour. 16 December 2021.
Stephanie Nolen. New York Times. Most of the World's Vaccines Likely Won't Prevent Infection From Omicron - The New York Times. 19 December 2021.
Vanessa Romo, Scott Hensley. NPR. CDC narrows use of J&J vaccine amid concerns about blood clots : Coronavirus Updates. 16 December 2021.
