BNT162b2 bivalent booster

**BNT162b2 bivalent booster** is an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine designed as a booster that encodes for the spike glycoproteins of both the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 variants, formulated using lipid nanoparticles. The booster contains equal amounts of mRNA coding for each spike protein (15 µg each, totaling 30 µg)[1][6][3]. Its mechanism involves delivering the genetic code for both spike proteins into host cells, prompting those cells to transiently produce the antigens and elicit robust humoral and cellular immune responses against both the ancestral and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 viral strains[1][6]. Developed to address immune escape by more antigenically distinct Omicron variants, the bivalent booster improves the breadth of neutralizing antibodies and targets current circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. It was evaluated in phase 2/3 trials as a second booster in ≥12-year-olds, demonstrating superior neutralizing antibody response against Omicron BA.4/BA.5 and noninferior immune response to the ancestral strain compared to the original monovalent booster[1][6][3].

Brand names

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent (Original and Omicron BA.4/BA.5)

Other names

BNT162b2 bivalent BA.4/BA.5 boosterBNT162b2 bivalent boosterBNT-162b2 bivalent boosterBNT 162b2 bivalent boosterBNT162b2-Omi.BA.4/BA.5