Comparison of Vaccine Effectiveness Against the Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant in Hemodialysis Patients
Katrina Spensley, Sarah Gleeson, Paul Martin, Tina Thomson, Candice Clarke, Graham Pickard, David Thomas, Stephen P. McAdoo, Paul Randell, Peter Kelleher, Rachna Bedi, Liz Lightstone, Maria Prendecki, Michelle Willicombe
Abstract
Since its first detection in November 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant has rapidly become the dominant variant worldwide. Increased transmissibility and its ability to evade both vaccine- and infection-induced neutralizing antibodies were of significant global concern and the impetus for the United Kingdom to expedite its booster vaccination program.1 In vitro and animal models suggested that although demonstrating the unfavorable characteristics described, the pathogenicity of the Omicron variant was reduced.