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Omicron extensively but incompletely escapes Pfizer BNT162b2 neutralization

Author

Listed:
  • Sandile Cele

    (Africa Health Research Institute
    University of KwaZulu-Natal)

  • Laurelle Jackson

    (Africa Health Research Institute)

  • David S. Khoury

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Khadija Khan

    (Africa Health Research Institute
    University of KwaZulu-Natal)

  • Thandeka Moyo-Gwete

    (National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service
    University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Houriiyah Tegally

    (KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform
    Stellenbosch University)

  • James Emmanuel San

    (KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform)

  • Deborah Cromer

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Cathrine Scheepers

    (National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service
    University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Daniel G. Amoako

    (University of KwaZulu-Natal
    National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service)

  • Farina Karim

    (Africa Health Research Institute
    University of KwaZulu-Natal)

  • Mallory Bernstein

    (Africa Health Research Institute)

  • Gila Lustig

    (Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa)

  • Derseree Archary

    (Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa
    University of KwaZulu-Natal)

  • Muneerah Smith

    (University of Cape Town)

  • Yashica Ganga

    (Africa Health Research Institute)

  • Zesuliwe Jule

    (Africa Health Research Institute)

  • Kajal Reedoy

    (Africa Health Research Institute)

  • Shi-Hsia Hwa

    (Africa Health Research Institute
    University College London)

  • Jennifer Giandhari

    (KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform)

  • Jonathan M. Blackburn

    (University of Cape Town
    University of Cape Town)

  • Bernadett I. Gosnell

    (University of KwaZulu-Natal)

  • Salim S. Abdool Karim

    (Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa
    Columbia University)

  • Willem Hanekom

    (Africa Health Research Institute
    University College London)

  • Anne Gottberg

    (National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service
    University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Jinal N. Bhiman

    (National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service
    University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Richard J. Lessells

    (KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform
    Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa)

  • Mahomed-Yunus S. Moosa

    (University of KwaZulu-Natal)

  • Miles P. Davenport

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Tulio Oliveira

    (KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform
    Stellenbosch University
    Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa
    University of Washington)

  • Penny L. Moore

    (National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service
    University of the Witwatersrand
    Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa
    University of Cape Town)

  • Alex Sigal

    (Africa Health Research Institute
    University of KwaZulu-Natal
    Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology)

Abstract

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern Omicron (Pango lineage B.1.1.529), first identified in Botswana and South Africa, may compromise vaccine effectiveness and lead to re-infections1. Here we investigated Omicron escape from neutralization by antibodies from South African individuals vaccinated with Pfizer BNT162b2. We used blood samples taken soon after vaccination from individuals who were vaccinated and previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 or vaccinated with no evidence of previous infection. We isolated and sequence-confirmed live Omicron virus from an infected person and observed that Omicron requires the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to infect cells. We compared plasma neutralization of Omicron relative to an ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain and found that neutralization of ancestral virus was much higher in infected and vaccinated individuals compared with the vaccinated-only participants. However, both groups showed a 22-fold reduction in vaccine-elicited neutralization by the Omicron variant. Participants who were vaccinated and had previously been infected exhibited residual neutralization of Omicron similar to the level of neutralization of the ancestral virus observed in the vaccination-only group. These data support the notion that reasonable protection against Omicron may be maintained using vaccination approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandile Cele & Laurelle Jackson & David S. Khoury & Khadija Khan & Thandeka Moyo-Gwete & Houriiyah Tegally & James Emmanuel San & Deborah Cromer & Cathrine Scheepers & Daniel G. Amoako & Farina Karim , 2022. "Omicron extensively but incompletely escapes Pfizer BNT162b2 neutralization," Nature, Nature, vol. 602(7898), pages 654-656, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:602:y:2022:i:7898:d:10.1038_s41586-021-04387-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04387-1
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