Author:
Bhiman Jinal N.,Richardson Simone I.,Lambson Bronwen E.,Kgagudi Prudence,Mzindle Nonkululeko,Kaldine Haajira,Crowther Carol,Gray Glenda,Bekker Linda-Gail,Koen Anthonet,Fairlie Lee,Fouche Leon,Bhorat Qasim,Dheda Keertan,Tameris Michele,Masilela Mduduzi,Hoosain Zaheer,Singh Nishanta,Hanley Sherika,Archary Moherndran,Louw Cheryl,Grobbelaar Coert,Lalloo Umesh,Joseph Natasha,Kruger Gertruida,Shinde Vivek,Bennett Chijioke,Glenn Gregory M.,Madhi Shabir A.,Moore Penny L.,
Abstract
AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant of Concern (VOC) and its sub-lineages (including BA.2, BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.12.1) contain spike mutations that confer high level resistance to neutralizing antibodies induced by vaccination with ancestral spike or infection with previously circulating variants. The NVX-CoV2373 vaccine, a protein nanoparticle vaccine containing the ancestral spike sequence, 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/BA.5 were resistant to neutralization by 72% (21/29) and 59% (17/29) of samples respectively. However, after a third dose of NVX-CoV2373, we observed high titers against Omicron BA.1 (GMT: 1,197) and BA.4/BA.5 (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/BA.5 is dominating in multiple locations, and highlight the potential utility of the NVX-CoV2373 vaccine as a booster in resource-limited environments.
Funder
Novavax
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation and National Research Foundation of South Africa
South African Medical Research Council
Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC