Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant of Concern (VOC) and its sub-lineages (including BA.2, BA.4/5, BA.2.12.1) contain spike mutations that confer high level resistance to neutralizing antibodies. The NVX-CoV2373 vaccine, a protein nanoparticle vaccine, has value in countries with constrained cold-chain requirements. Here we report neutralizing titers following two or three doses of NVX-CoV2373. We show that after two doses, Omicron sub-lineages BA.1 and BA.4 were resistant to neutralization by 72% (21/29) and 59% (17/29) of samples. However, after a third dose of NVX-CoV2373, we observed high titers against Omicron BA.1 (GMT: 1,197) and BA.4 (GMT: 582), with responses similar in magnitude to those triggered by three doses of an mRNA vaccine. These data are of particular relevance as BA.4 is emerging to become the dominant strain in many locations, and highlight the potential utility of the NVX-CoV2373 vaccine as a booster in resource-limited environments.
Competing Interest Statement
Drs. Shinde and Bennett report being employed by and owning shares in Novavax; Dr. Q. Bhorat, receiving grant support from Wits Health Consortium, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, GSK, Avillion, Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, and Novavax; Dr. Fouche, receiving grant support from BioNTech; Dr. Glenn, being employed by and owning stock in Novavax and owning stock in RA Capital; and Dr. Madhi, receiving grant support, paid to his institution, from Pfizer and GSK.
