<Anchor>
Omicron is spreading rapidly around the world, but the specific characteristics of the mutation are not yet confirmed. However, Pfizer announced based on its own research results that the third dose of the vaccine could prevent Omicron.
I will read the Washington correspondent Kim Soo-hyung's report first, then continue the conversation with a medical reporter.
<Reporter> The
test conducted by Pfizer and Biontech measured the amount of neutralizing antibodies in the blood of those who received the vaccine twice and those who received the vaccine three times, respectively.
The neutralizing antibody level of those who received only the second dose was significantly lower, but it was found that the third booster dose increased by 25 times.
You can stop Omicron with a booster shot.
[Albert Bulla/Pfizer CEO: Based on the actual data so far, the 3rd booster dose seems to dramatically increase the effectiveness of the vaccine.]
However, this is an early study with only 39 samples, which contains limited information.
The problem is that it is not known how long the neutralizing antibody will last after the third booster inoculation.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bulla predicted that the timing of the fourth booster dose may need to be advanced.
Omicron mutations are spreading throughout the United States, and the power of delta mutations is getting stronger and stronger.
That's an increase of over 60% in one month.
There is no other spiky solution other than the 3rd booster vaccination.
[Pouch/White House Chief Medical Adviser: I want to see people being protected with vaccines first and foremost.
Giving me a third booster dose is an obvious and unquestioned issue.]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that if this trend continues, up to 14,900 more people will die by the end of the year, resulting in a cumulative death toll of 837,000. I did.
(Video coverage: Park Eun-ha, video editing: Jung Yong-hwa)
▶ Most of the confirmed
cases
were in their teens, and the deaths were in their 60s…
How to 'strengthen quarantine'
▶ Pfizer "3rd vaccination can prevent Omicron"