SINOVAC booster shots are 94% effective against Omicron based on early data from studies, said Pharmaniaga Bhd.

The pharmaceutical firm said the Sinovac Biotech Co Ltd studies involve two strains of the new variant from Hong Kong.

Lab results revealed that 35% of the 20 serum samples (7/20) from recipients of two Sinovac doses show positive neutralising antibody when tested against one of the Omicron strains, while 94% of the 48 serum samples (45/48) from recipients of three Sinovac doses show positive neutralising antibody.

The other Omicron strain testing is underway.

Pharmaniaga said Sinovac is also conducting studies involving sera with different antibody levels and at a wider variety of post-immunisation points of time to achieve a comprehensive evaluation of Omicron’s impact on its vaccine.

This supports Sinovac Biotech senior overseas business director Meng Weining’s statement, which said a Sinovac booster shot given at an interval of six to 12 months after the second dose will lead to a big boost in immune response, with geometric mean titers (GMTs) increasing to approximately 140.

Meng was quoted as saying that GMTs of six months after the third dose are higher than the peak of the second dose.

“In addition, the studies show higher persistence of antibody six months after booster shots compared with the second dose, indicating a longer duration of protection from Covid-19 and new variants.”

Pharmaniaga said these scientific studies are in line with the statement made by the health minister, who had yesterday urged all Sinovac vaccine recipients and above-60s, regardless of vaccine type, to take booster shots by end of February. – Bernama, December 18, 2021.