Key result
The relative protection of the third BNT162b2 vaccine dose against Omicron infection waned significantly, decreasing from 53.4% at one month to 16.5% at three months compared to early vaccinees.
Why the study?
The duration of protection of the third dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has yet to be sufficiently researched amid discussions regarding a fourth dose.
Does the third dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine prevent breakthrough infections and severe disease over time in adults?
Case-Control (n=389,265)
Does the third dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine prevent breakthrough infections and severe disease over time in adults?
The effectiveness of the third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine against Omicron infection wanes significantly within a few months, dropping from 53.4% at one month to 16.5% at three months.
This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.
The duration of protection of the third (booster) dose of the BioNTech/Pfizer BNT162b2 mRNA Coronavirus Disease 2019 vaccine has yet to be sufficiently researched, while global discussions around the necessity and effectiveness of a fourth dose are already underway. By conducting a retrospective study implementing a test-negative case-control design, analyzing 546,924 PCR tests performed throughout January 2022 by 389,265 persons who received three doses of the vaccine, we found that the effectiveness in each month since vaccination decreased significantly. Compared to those vaccinated early, on August 2021, relative protection against infection waned from 53.4% a month after vaccination to 16.5% three months after vaccination. These results suggest that there is a significant waning of vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron variant of the third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine within a few months after administration and should prompt policy discussion as to additional booster doses and vaccine development.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Rapid waning of third-dose protection against infection may signal need for additional boosters; leaves open optimal timing and variant-updated formulations.
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Patalon et al. (2022) conducted a case-control in COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) (n=389,265). Third (booster) dose of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine vs. Individuals vaccinated early (August 2021) was evaluated on Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive RT-PCR test ≥7 days after vaccine dose) (VE 53.4%, 95% CI 47.7%-58.6%). The relative protection of the third BNT162b2 vaccine dose against Omicron infection waned significantly, decreasing from 53.4% at one month to 16.5% at three months compared to early vaccinees.
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