<Anchor>
About the Omicron mutation, which is still lacking in information, some good news and some worrying news came at the same time last night. The US company Pfizer announced that a third dose of the vaccine could neutralize the omicron mutation. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the omicron mutation is so contagious that many people can die.
Correspondent Kim Soo-hyung from Washington.
<Reporter>
Pfizer and Biontech announced that in a trial conducted at Frankfurt University Hospital, Germany, neutralizing antibodies increased 25 times after the third booster dose of the corona vaccine was administered compared to the second dose.
The only thing is that enough levels of antibodies are formed to neutralize the Omicron.
[Albert Bulla/Pfizer CEO: Based on the actual data so far, the 3rd booster dose seems to dramatically increase the effectiveness of the
vaccine
.]
Just two doses of the vaccine are effective in preventing the progression of severe Omicron infection. Although partially maintained, the neutralizing antibody potency was significantly reduced.
[Albert Bulla/Pfizer CEO: The current 3rd dose of booster will be sufficient to maintain protection (on micron mutations). But if necessary, we can make Omicron custom vaccines. The good news is that it will be available until March next year.] The
World Health Organization (WHO) noted that the omicron mutation has a high risk of reinfection, but the symptoms may be mild.
But he warned that it could be so contagious that it could lead to more deaths.
[Michael Ryan / Director of Emergency Response, WHO: If Omicron spreads unprotected, it will cause more infections, even if it is not more frightening or fatal, and put a strain on the health care system, leading to more deaths.
]
Biontech CEO predicted that the concept of having completed the corona vaccine will change from the existing 2 doses to 3 doses.