Initial laboratory studies by Pfizer-BioNTech showed that three doses of BNT162b2 vaccine increased the titer of neutralizing antibodies against the new variant SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) by 25-fold compared to two doses. Furthermore, the cellular response, induced by specific CD8 T cells, was 80% effective in neutralizing Omicron. Pfizer-BioNTech has announced that they will continue to develop a vaccine specific to the Omicron variant to further increase the level and duration of protection. The vaccine is expected to be available in March 2022.