AstraZeneca: Positive News Regarding the Third Dose and Omicron Resistance

AstraZeneca announced on Thursday that preliminary data from a trial of its coronavirus vaccine showed that the third booster dose generates a greater antibody response against Omicron and other variants, including Beta, Delta, and Alpha. The company stated that the increased response was observed in individuals who had previously been vaccinated either with its vaccine or with one of the mRNA-based vaccines. Additionally, it mentioned that it would submit this data to regulatory authorities worldwide due to the urgent need for booster doses. This data is the first released by the company from its studies on the booster dose of its vaccine, according to Reuters. In December, AstraZeneca stated that it was working with the University of Oxford to produce a vaccine for the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, joining other vaccine manufacturers looking to create a vaccine against the variant. A company spokesperson stated at the time, "We have taken preliminary steps in collaboration with the University of Oxford towards producing a vaccine for the Omicron variant if needed."