Benzinga | Dec 23, 2021 12:20PM EST

Oxford Lab Study Suggests AstraZeneca's COVID-19 Booster Works Against Omicron

A three-dose course of AstraZeneca Plc's (NASDAQ:AZN) COVID-19 vaccine is effective against the omicron coronavirus variant, data from an Oxford University lab study shows.

* Findings from the study, yet to be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, match those from Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) - BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX), which have also found a third dose of their shots works against omicron.

* The study on AstraZeneca's vaccine, Vaxzevria, showed that after a three-dose course of the vaccine, neutralizing levels against omicron were broadly similar to those against the virus's Delta variant after two doses.

* The Company said researchers at Oxford University who carried out the study were independent from those who worked on the vaccine with AstraZeneca.

* Antibody levels against omicron after the booster shot were higher than antibodies in people who had been infected with and recovered naturally from COVID-19, AstraZeneca added.

* The Oxford study analyzed blood samples from those infected with COVID-19, those vaccinated with two doses and a booster, and those previously infected with other variants of concern.

* It included samples from 41 people given three doses of Vaxzevria.

* Price Action: AZN shares are down 0.82% at $57.61 during the market session on the last check Thursday.