Abstract
Distinct SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages have evolved showing increased fitness and immune evasion than the original Omicron variant BA.1. Here we report the neutralization activity of sera from BNT162b2 vaccinated individuals or unimmunized Omicron BA.1-infected individuals against Omicron sublineages and “Deltacron” variant (XD). BNT162b2 post-dose 3 immune sera neutralized USA-WA1/2020, Omicron BA.1-, BA.2-, BA.2.12.1-, BA.3-, BA.4/5-, and XD-spike SARS-CoV-2s with geometric mean titers (GMTs) of 1335, 393, 298, 315, 216, 103, and 301, respectively; thus, BA.4/5 SARS-CoV-2 spike variant showed the highest propensity to evade vaccine neutralization compared to the original Omicron variants BA.1. BA.1-convalescent sera neutralized USA-WA1/2020, BA.1-, BA.2-, BA.2.12.1-, BA.3-, BA.4/5-, and Deltacron-spike SARS-CoV-2s with GMTs of 15, 430, 110, 109, 102, 25, and 284, respectively. The low neutralization titers of vaccinated sera or convalescent sera from BA. 1 infected individuals against the emerging and rapidly spreading Omicron BA.4/5 variants provide important results for consideration in the selection of an updated vaccine in the current Omicron wave.
Competing Interest Statement
X.X. and P.-Y.S. have filed a patent on the reverse genetic system of SARS-CoV-2. C.K., J.Z., H.X., X.X., and P.-Y.S. received compensation from Pfizer to perform the project. Q.Y., M.C., D.C., K.U.J., and K.A.S. are employees of Pfizer and may hold stock options. K.A.S. and Q.Y. are inventors on a patent application related to RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. U.S. and A.M. are inventors on patents and patent applications related to RNA technology and COVID-19 vaccines. A.M is an employee of BioNTech and may hold stock options.