Omicron can evade antibodies from vaccinated and COVID convalescent people
Nowadays, a burning question in everybody’s mind, whether they are vaccinated or not, is, “Am I protected against the omicron variant?”
Research from the Institute of Virology of the Medical University of Innsbruck, Australia, answered that question. At least partially.
The study is SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 variant (Omicron) evades neutralization by sera from vaccinated and convalescent individuals and is available as a preprint from medRxiv.
The study analyzed the neutralizing antibodies from people who recovered from the Alpha (n=10), Beta (n=8), or Delta variant (n=7).
The vaccinated group had either of the following:
- Spikevax (Moderna, n=10)
- ChAdOx1 (Vaxzevria, AstraZeneca) (n=10)
- BNT162b2 (Comirnaty, Pfizer/BioNTech) (n=20)
- Heterologous ChAdOx1 prime/BNT162b2 boost vaccination (n=20)
Homologous vaccination is when the two shots are from the same manufacturer. E.g., Pfizer for the first and second shots. Heterloeologus is when the vaccines are mixed. E.g., AstraZeneca first, then Pfizer for the second jab.
The n stands for the number of people in the group
A third group was found in the study termed super immune individuals. These individuals were exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 twice by infection and vaccination.
Five were infected and subsequently vaccinated, and five were vaccinated and later infected (breakthrough cases).
Findings
- Antibodies from vaccinated individuals neutralized the Omicron or B.1.1.529 variant to a much lesser extent than the Alpha, Beta, and Delta. (B.1.1.7, B.1.351, B.1.617.2 respectively).
- Antibodies from individuals vaccinated with homologous Pfizer or heterologous AstraZeneca/Pfizer regimen can neutralize Omicron.
- No neutralization with homologous AstraZeneca.
- Antibodies from convalescent individuals failed to neutralize the omicron variant, although they can cross-neutralize other variants. For example, a person who recovered from the Delta variant has effective antibodies against the Alpha and the Beta variants.
- The antibodies from super immune individuals could neutralize the omicron variant to a lesser extent than the Delta.
The study results in a graph
The graph below shows the effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies from the vaccinated and convalescent groups. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) measures the potency of a substance in inhibiting a specific biological or biochemical function. In this study, the IC50 measures the effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies.
The different colored vertical bars are the average neutralizing titers for each variant. Alpha (B.1.1.7) is blue, Beta (B.1.351) is in orange, Delta (B.1.617.2) is green, and Omicron (B.1.1.529) is purple.
The figure says that antibodies from the vaccinated and convalescent individuals are not effective against the omicron variant (B.1.1.529). However, the exception is Pfizer/AstraZeneca combination which has some effectiveness.
The super immune groups (those who recovered from COVID then vaccinated and the infected vaccinated) have high neutralizing antibodies against all variants.
My take on the study
The study did not specify the timing of the collection of antibodies from all the groups. Antibody levels decrease as early as two months after vaccination. If they took the antibodies from the recovered within six months, there could be neutralization. However, many studies have shown that vaccine-induced antibodies wane as early as one month, two months, three months, and six months. The neutralizing effect of vaccine-induced antibodies could be much lower if the serum were taken after six months.
Measurement of the effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies is vital since the neutralizing antibodies stop the binding of the spike protein of coronaviruses to the ACE2 receptors of the human cells. However, other immune cells like T-cells and memory B cells play a role in disease mitigation.
Addendum Dec 14, 2021: The day after this release, I published this, People who recovered from COVID-19 have effective T-cells against the omicron
This study tells everyone that no one should disregard the omicron variant. Ultimately, epidemiological studies of actual Omicron cases who recovered, or got hospitalized, or died will reveal the whole clinical picture of the Omicron variant.
Summary
From this study, the vaccinated and unvaccinated are prone to the Omicron variant. As of today, there are 3,426 cases worldwide, according to GISAID. The BBC news reported the first omicron death today, one death out of 3,426 or 0.029% mortality rate. There was no mention of the age and the presence of comorbidities.
Take away message
Viruses will always be with us. It is critical to optimize the immune system and lower your risk of getting severe COVID-19 by reducing weight, lowering blood pressure and blood sugar, and exercising.
Early treatment for everyone is essential to prevent hospitalization and deaths.
Related:
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- COVID-19 Symptoms in the Vaccinated and Unvaccinated
- Update to the I-MASK+ Prevention & Early Outpatient Treatment Protocol for COVID-19
- What should the household do if someone has an Early COVID-19?
- The I-MASK+ for the Prophylaxis and Early Treatment Protocol of COVID-19
- The MATH+ Protocol Results in Greater Survival in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
- The I-RECOVER Management Protocol for Long Haul COVID-19 Syndrome
- What makes Ivermectin a kick-ass antiviral?
- The anti-COVID-19 properties of Quercetin
- Melatonin’s Multiple Actions Against COVID-19
- Povidone Iodine Works Great for the Prevention and Early Treatment of COVID-19!
- Vitamin C and COVID-19
- Zinc Deficiency Impairs the Immune System
- Adequate Vitamin D Prevents Severe COVID-19
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