We now have data from Pfizer & Moderna on how their boosters do against Omicron. (See other posts (P, M) I just made)
Warning: I have previously seen warnings to not take the neutralizing antibody titers from different studies and compare them. I am not qualified to say whether the raw numbers from the two studies are equivalent. For instance, I haven't compared the subjects in the two studies.
I believe, but am not certain, that the ratio of increase by the booster may be comparable across studies. Moderna seemed better at 37x (EUA 50ug booster for >= 18yo) or 83x (EUA 100ug booster for immune-compromised people) versus 25x for Pfizer.
However, should the numbers be on the same scale, it looks like Moderna is doing better against Omicron than Pfizer. Pre-boost titers were 25 vs 6. Post-boost were 850 (Moderna 50 ug booster) or 2228 (Moderna 100 ug booster) vs 155.
Pfizer says they are working on an Omicron-specific formulation. Moderna indicated they were going to concentrate in the short-term on the current formulation. I take this to mean that Moderna thinks their booster is the best currently and will be working on getting more doses out for people in the short run. I think Pfizer wants to improve their situation.
What we haven't seen here are heterologous effect of mixing Moderna and Pfizer (2 shots of one, a booster of the other). I previously posted one study that showed
1. AZ + b. Pfizer > 1. Pfizer + 2. Pfizer > 1. Moderna + 2. Moderna > 1. AZ + 2. AZ
Note that in that study, it seemed that Pfizer+Pfizer was better than Moderna+Moderna.
I got my booster as soon as it was available. But if I were considering getting my booster at this point,
1) DON'T WAIT. Whether I had contracted COVID (any variant) or not, I'd get a Pfizer or Moderna booster today. I wouldn't even think about waiting months for an Omicron-specific booster. That may be too late as the infections are going to peak very soon.
2) I'd probably get a Moderna booster, no matter what initial formulation I had.
3) If I could get a Moderna full-dose third shot (rather than the half dose EUA booster), I'd think that's best.
PLEASE NOTE: I am not a physician. I know nothing about other people's health status. This is my opinion for me. Consult a physician for your situation.
People far more knowledgable than me will be comparing the vaccines after this report. Pay attention to them.
Warning: I have previously seen warnings to not take the neutralizing antibody titers from different studies and compare them. I am not qualified to say whether the raw numbers from the two studies are equivalent. For instance, I haven't compared the subjects in the two studies.
I believe, but am not certain, that the ratio of increase by the booster may be comparable across studies. Moderna seemed better at 37x (EUA 50ug booster for >= 18yo) or 83x (EUA 100ug booster for immune-compromised people) versus 25x for Pfizer.
However, should the numbers be on the same scale, it looks like Moderna is doing better against Omicron than Pfizer. Pre-boost titers were 25 vs 6. Post-boost were 850 (Moderna 50 ug booster) or 2228 (Moderna 100 ug booster) vs 155.
Pfizer says they are working on an Omicron-specific formulation. Moderna indicated they were going to concentrate in the short-term on the current formulation. I take this to mean that Moderna thinks their booster is the best currently and will be working on getting more doses out for people in the short run. I think Pfizer wants to improve their situation.
What we haven't seen here are heterologous effect of mixing Moderna and Pfizer (2 shots of one, a booster of the other). I previously posted one study that showed
1. AZ + b. Pfizer > 1. Pfizer + 2. Pfizer > 1. Moderna + 2. Moderna > 1. AZ + 2. AZ
Note that in that study, it seemed that Pfizer+Pfizer was better than Moderna+Moderna.
I got my booster as soon as it was available. But if I were considering getting my booster at this point,
1) DON'T WAIT. Whether I had contracted COVID (any variant) or not, I'd get a Pfizer or Moderna booster today. I wouldn't even think about waiting months for an Omicron-specific booster. That may be too late as the infections are going to peak very soon.
2) I'd probably get a Moderna booster, no matter what initial formulation I had.
3) If I could get a Moderna full-dose third shot (rather than the half dose EUA booster), I'd think that's best.
PLEASE NOTE: I am not a physician. I know nothing about other people's health status. This is my opinion for me. Consult a physician for your situation.
People far more knowledgable than me will be comparing the vaccines after this report. Pay attention to them.