Omicron, the new COVID-19 variant is deemed ‘high risk’ by the World Health Organisation (WHO). But, why is this so? Are vaccines still effective against this variant? Read to know more.
The concern of the new variant
The pandemic is far from over. The emergence of another variant only proves this fact. As per WHO’s classification, the new variant of the SARS-CoV-2, Omicron is known as B.1.1529. It is also named as a ‘variant of concern’ and was first studied by South African researchers. So far, the variant has spread to several countries including Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Hong Kong, and Botswana. Covid appropriate behavior, timely detection, and vaccination are vital for breaking the transmission chain.
Why is Omicron a ‘high risk’ variant?
This particular strain of Covid-19 has heavy mutations and is a high-risk variant. Unlike other variants, the Omicron has over 30 mutations in its spike protein. The highly infectious Delta variant had half the number of mutations and spread havoc across the world. Since its detection, the delta strain has gained dominance. Additionally, it is the culprit behind surges in positive cases. However, researchers are not sure if this new variant’s mutations make it more transmissible or can cause a severe infection.
Are the covid vaccines you took still useful for the new variant? The WHO and several research organizations are working to understand the effect of existing vaccines on the new variant. While the high mutations are a reason for worry, the covid vaccine is critical in reducing the severity of the disease. “The vaccines were designed, basically, to keep people out of the hospital, and they’ve stood up and they’ve done that very well. So we really need to know whether this particular version is going to change that picture,” said Dr. Margaret Harris. Dr. Harris is a public health doctor and a spokesperson for the WHO. Additionally, the jab can also make a huge difference when life and death hang in the balance.