“Although two doses of the vaccine may still offer protection against severe disease caused by the Omicron strain, it’s clear from these preliminary data that protection is improved with a third dose of our vaccine,” said Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer in a statement Wednesday.BOSTON, MA. - November 14: A vial of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine sits on the prep table during a pediatric vaccination clinic at the Museum of Science, hosted in partnership with Cataldo Ambulance Service and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on November 14, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)© Provided by Boston Herald BOSTON, MA. – November 14: A vial of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine sits on the prep table during a pediatric vaccination clinic at the Museum of Science, hosted in partnership with Cataldo Ambulance Service and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on November 14, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)A preliminary study showed that three doses of the vaccine neutralized omicron with a 25-fold increase in antibodies. Those who only got two vaccine doses saw a reduction in protection against omicron compared to other coronavirus strains.

However, two doses may still protect against severe disease, according to Pfizer. The results are still preliminary, and Pfizer is working on an omicron-specific vaccine, should it be necessary. Moderna announced similar plans to create a booster targeting omicron last month.

Pfizer is the first vaccine maker to come out with data surrounding the effects of its shots against the new omicron variant. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson also are testing how their vaccines may hold up but haven’t made any announcements yet.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, speaking on MSNBC Wednesday said, “I would really be very surprised if we did not see the same sort of an effect with Moderna as is now being reported with Pfizer.”

Much remains unknown about the omicron variant, which was first detected in South Africa, but information is beginning to trickle in.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said during a Wednesday briefing that the variant has now been found in 57 countries and that number is expected to grow.

“We are now starting to see a consistent picture of rapid increase in transmission, although for now the exact rate of increase relative to other variants remains difficult to quantify,” Ghebreyesus said.

He added that emerging data from South African also show there might be an increased risk of reinfection with omicron.

Finally, Ghebreyesus shared, “There’s also some evidence that omicron causes milder disease than Delta, but again it’s still too early to be definitive.”

Omicron sent the world into a tailspin when it emerged with some countries, including the United States, imposing travel restrictions which the WHO opposes and called “discriminatory.”

The WHO also opposes widespread booster efforts in countries with large vaccine supplies and high vaccination rates, as priority should be placed on getting the first shots into the arms of people with limited access to the vaccines.

Pfizer booster holds up against omicron variant, company says (msn.com)