shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > News > World News > Article > Omicron no worse than other virus variants

‘Omicron no worse than other virus variants’

Updated on: 09 December,2021 08:18 AM IST  |  Geneva
Agencies |

Top WHO and US scientists say it is likely more transmissible than previous variants, but is also “highly unlikely” to completely evade vaccine protections

‘Omicron no worse than other virus variants’

A boy gets vaccinated against COVID-19 at a site near Johannesburg, Wednesday. Pic/AP

The Omicron variant appears to be no worse than other coronavirus strains and is highly unlikely to completely evade vaccine protections and, said top WHO and US scientists on Tuesday amid growing public health concerns.


The hopeful assessments came as global concern grew over the mutated variant, which has forced dozens of nations to re-impose border restrictions and raised the possibility of a return of economically punishing lockdowns. While it is likely more transmissible than previous variants, Omicron is also “highly unlikely” to completely evade vaccine protections, the World Health Organization’s second-in-command said on Tuesday.


“The preliminary data doesn’t indicate that this is more severe. In fact, if anything, the direction is towards less severity,” said WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan. 
“We have highly effective vaccines that have proved effective against all the variants so far, in terms of severe disease and hospitalisation... There’s no reason to expect that it wouldn’t be so” for Omicron, he added.


However, Ryan acknowledged that it was possible that existing vaccines might prove less effective against Omicron, which counts more than 30 mutations on the spike protein that allows it to invade cells.

Dr Fauci agrees

Top US scientist Anthony Fauci echoed the WHO’s view, saying Omicron did not appear worse than prior strains based on early indications and was possibly milder. The new variant is “clearly highly transmissible”, very likely more so than Delta, Fauci said. “It almost certainly is not more severe than Delta,” he added. “There is some suggestion that it might even be less severe.” But he noted it was important to not over-interpret this data because the populations being followed skewed young and were less likely to become hospitalised. Severe disease can also take weeks to develop. 

‘Pfizer booster protects against omicron’ 

Pfizer said Wednesday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine may protect against the new omicron variant even though the initial two doses appear significantly less effective. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said lab tests showed a booster dose increased by 25-fold the level of so-called neutralizing antibodies against omicron. Pfizer said the preliminary laboratory data hasn’t yet undergone scientific review.

Weekly COVID cases dip in Europe: WHO 

The World Health Organization’s European region has recorded a slight drop in both COVID-19 cases and deaths last week after facing a string of weekly increases.

3,94,970
No. of new cases reported globally in the past 24 hours

26,57,13,467

Total no. of cases worldwide

52,60,888

Total no. of deaths worldwide

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK