AstraZeneca: "AZ Booster Shot and Antibody Therapy Effective Against Omicron"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] AstraZeneca (AZ) announced that research results have shown that its COVID-19 vaccine booster shots and antibody treatment are effective against the Omicron variant.

According to laboratory research results from the University of Oxford in the UK, which co-developed the COVID-19 vaccine with AZ, the AZ vaccine booster shot was found to produce antibody levels against the Omicron variant that exceed the neutralizing antibody levels of individuals who recovered naturally from COVID-19. Additionally, the research team added that the neutralizing antibody levels formed by the booster shot were not significantly different from the antibody levels produced against the Delta variant after two doses of the vaccine.

This study was conducted on blood samples from 41 individuals who received three doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, including some who had completed the booster shot or had been infected with other variants. However, the paper has not yet undergone peer review.

AstraZeneca stated, "Although we co-developed the vaccine with the University of Oxford, this study was conducted by a research team not directly related to the vaccine co-development," and added, "Regardless of these results, we continue to work with Oxford University on developing vaccines tailored to the Omicron variant."

In addition, AstraZeneca announced that its antibody treatment, Evusheld, also produces effective neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant in patients. According to joint research by Oxford University and Washington University in the United States, plasma antibodies collected from individuals administered Evusheld were tested against Omicron variant samples and showed effective neutralizing antibody formation. Evusheld was developed as a treatment for vaccine side effects or immunocompromised patients and was shown in clinical trials to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection by 77%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.