The Omicron variant of coronavirus is largely resistant to antibodies from people who recover from Covid-19 infection, and those vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, according to a study. The research, published in the journal Cell, also shows that several antibodies used to treat Covid-19 will be ineffective against Omicron. However, a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine, and mixing Pfizer and AstraZeneca preventives may protect well against the variant. The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 appears to be spreading faster than any previous variant and may soon dominate globally, the researchers said.

A person waits to get tested for COVID-19 at a testing site in Times Square subway station on Thursday in New York. Pics/AP