Omicron can evade the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines and natural infection, according to a peer-reviewed study, published in the journal Nature. The variant is also resistant to the antibody treatments currently being used, noted the study.

The study assessed the potential of antibodies evoked by vaccination to neutralize the Omicron variant in lab tests. Antibodies from people who had received Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines were found to be significantly less effective in terms of neutralizing the Omicron variant, in comparison with the original strain. Additionally, antibodies from a prior infection were also less effective at neutralizing the new variant. The study authors also noted that all of the monoclonal antibody therapies being used at present and most of those under development are also less effective against Omicron variant.

Individuals who received a booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine appeared to be better protected; however, even in these individuals, the antibodies had reduced neutralizing potential against the highly mutated variant… (TOI - PTI, December 24, 2021)