Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron by BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine–elicited human sera

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 375; no. 6581; pp. 678 - 680
• Main Authors: Muik, Alexander, Lui, Bonny Gaby, Wallisch, Ann-Kathrin, Bacher, Maren, Mühl, Julia, Reinholz, Jonas, Ozhelvaci, Orkun, Beckmann, Nina, Güimil Garcia, Ramón de la Caridad, Poran, Asaf, Shpyro, Svetlana, Finlayson, Andrew, Cai, Hui, Yang, Qi, Swanson, Kena A., Türeci, Özlem, Şahin, Uğur
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The American Association for the Advancement of Science 11.02.2022
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies; Antibodies, Neutralizing - blood; Antibodies, Neutralizing - immunology; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Antibodies, Viral - immunology; BNT162 Vaccine - administration & dosage; BNT162 Vaccine - immunology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 - virology; COVID-19 Vaccines - administration & dosage; COVID-19 Vaccines - immunology; Humans; Immunization Schedule; Immunization, Secondary; Middle Aged; mRNA; Mutation; Neutralization; Neutralization Tests; SARS-CoV-2 - immunology; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus - genetics; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Vaccination; Vaccines; Viral diseases; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.abn7591

The globally circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of concern Omicron (B.1.1.529) has a large number of mutations, especially in the spike protein, indicating that recognition by neutralizing antibodies may be compromised. We tested Wuhan (Wuhan-Hu-1 reference strain), Beta (B.1.351), Delta (B.1.617.2), or Omicron pseudoviruses with sera of 51 participants who received two or three doses of the messenger RNA (mRNA)–based COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2. After two doses, Omicron-neutralizing titers were reduced >22-fold compared with Wuhan-neutralizing titers. One month after the third vaccine dose, Omicron-neutralizing titers were increased 23-fold relative to their levels after two doses and were similar to levels of Wuhan-neutralizing titers after two doses. The requirement of a third vaccine dose to effectively neutralize Omicron was confirmed with sera from a subset of participants using live SARS-CoV-2. These data suggest that three doses of the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 may protect against Omicron-mediated COVID-19. The Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern has proven more transmissible and infectious than the original severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Muik et al . investigated whether the BioNTech/Pfizer BNT162b2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine is effective against the Omicron variant. Sera were collected from two groups of clinical trial subjects: those who received the primary two-dose BNT162b2 vaccine series (spaced 21 days apart) and those who received a third, “booster” vaccine 6 to 18 months after the second BNT162b2 dose. Individuals who received only two doses had a low ability to neutralize the Omicron variant, whereas a third shot of BNT162b2 significantly improved antibody recognition of Omicron. These data suggest that three BNT162b2 mRNA doses are likely required to protect against Omicron-driven COVID-19. —PNK Sera from individuals vaccinated with three doses of the Pfizer/BioNtech mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 can neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.