In October 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Pfizer and BioNTech’s bivalent booster for use in individuals aged 5 and older. Since then, the companies have continued their research to determine the vaccine’s effectiveness.
Pfizer and BioNTech recently announced that data from their phase 2/3 bivalent booster clinical trial shows a robust immune response in individuals one month after receiving the bivalent booster. Immune responses for those who received the bivalent booster were substantially higher than those who received the original COVID-19 vaccine, resulting in a higher level of protection against omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. “As part of our science-based approach we will continue to evaluate…the adapted vaccine against new variants,” Prof. Ugur Sahin, M.D., CEO and Co-founder of BioNTech said. “Our goal is to provide broader immunity against COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, including omicron and other circulating strains.”
The research shows omicron-neutralizing antibodies were 9.5 times higher than pre-booster levels in individuals aged 18-55 and 13.2 times higher in individuals over 55. Further evidence suggests the benefits of the bivalent booster regardless of an individual’s COVID-19 infection history. Learn more about Pfizer and BioNTech’s research on the effectiveness of the bivalent booster in their press release published November 4, 2022.
For increased protection against COVID-19, get a bivalent booster vaccine. To find a vaccine location near you, consult the Department of Health Vaccine Locator tool.