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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Booster doses of both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccines are likely to offer a substantial increase in protection against the new and highly transmissible Omicron variant, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci said Wednesday, adding that “at this point, there is no need for a very specific booster” designed especially to fight Omicron.
Dr. Fauci, President Biden’s top medical adviser for the coronavirus response, shared preliminary data from his institute’s analysis of the Moderna vaccine, showing that while two doses produced a negligible antibody response against Omicron in the laboratory, the protection shot way up after a third dose, suggesting there will be breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people who have not had their booster shots.
“Our booster vaccine regimens work against Omicron,” Dr. Fauci said. “At this point, there is no need for a very specific booster. And so the message remains clear: If you are unvaccinated get vaccinated, and particularly in the arena of Omicron if you are fully vaccinated, get your booster shot.”
Dr. Fauci’s admonition came as Biden administration officials are bracing for a potential wave of Omicron infections that could overwhelm the health care system. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection warned recently that the percentage of coronavirus cases in the United States caused by the Omicron variant has increased sharply, and may portend a significant surge in infections as soon as next month. The Delta variant may remains by far the dominant version across the United States.