Chinese Protein-based COVID-19 Booster Found Effective Against Omicron

A non-peer-reviewed study published on January 4, 2022, reported a large-scale randomized, controlled clinical trial of heterologous prime-boost vaccination with an inactivated vaccine followed by a recombinant protein subunit vaccine.

Compared to homologous boost, the heterologous boost with Sinopharm's new NVSI-06-07 in BBIBP-CorV recipients elicited significantly higher immunogenicity against the SARS-CoV-2 prototype strain against Omicron and other variants of concern (VOCs).

'Our findings indicated that the heterologous boost with NVSI-06-07 was safe, well-tolerated, and immunogenic in adults primed with a full regimen of BBIBP-CorV,' wrote these researchers.

Compared to a homologous boost with a third dose of BBIBP-CorV, incremental immune responses were achieved.

The optimal booster strategy was the heterologous boost with NVSI-06-07 over six months after priming with two doses of BBIBP-CorV.

The heterologous BBIBP-CorV / NVSI-06-07 prime-boosting vaccination may be valuable in preventing the pandemic of Omicron.

'Due to no Omicron-specific vaccine available currently, the BBIBPCorV/NVSI-06-07 heterologous prime-boost might serve as an effective strategy combating Omicron variant.'

These researchers cautioned that it's still unclear how long the effects of the NVSI-06-07 booster will last. And 'further studies are needed to assess the long-term protection of BBIBP-CorV / NVSI-06-07 prime-booster vaccination.'

Sinopharm's NVSI-06-07 protein-based vaccine was authorized in December 2021 as a booster in the United Arab Emirates.