Additional evidence from laboratory experiments points to the weaknesses of COVID-19 vaccines and antibody drugs against the Omicron variant.

A study posted on bioRxiv, awaiting peer review, conducted by researchers at Columbia University, noted that Omicron variant was considerably resistant to neutralization by antibodies in blood from individuals who had received Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, or from COVID survivors. 

The researchers also tested nine approved monoclonal antibodies and ten that are still in the experimental stage. Neutralizing potential of 18 out of the 19 antibodies was either nullified or impaired.

In a separate study, posted on bioRxiv, researchers from Europe also stated that Omicron variant was either completely or partially resistant to neutralization by nine monoclonal antibodies that were tested in the study, and also by antibodies in blood samples obtained from vaccine recipients and COVID survivors.

The European researchers stated that neutralizing antibody levels were 5- to 31-fold lower against Omicron compared to the Delta variant… (Reuters, December 18, 2021)