But shots make it less impactful; mild symptoms, no death so far
The cases of Omicron infection reported from vaccinated people in India show that the super mutant virus manages to break the security ring provided by the vaccine.
However, the impact has been less, said health experts, noting that this (vaccine) could also be the reason that there has been no death so far and the symptoms are mild.
They also said the vaccines may well continue to ward off severe illness and death, although booster doses may be needed to protect most people.
Against the backdrop, of the rising number of Omicron cases being reported among the fully vaccinated people, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday urged the Government to announce “additional” doses of Covid vaccine for healthcare, frontline workers and immunocompromised individuals amid concerns over the Omicron variant of coronavirus, 21 cases of which been detected in India so far.
It also demanded that the government expedite the proposal of vaccinating individuals aged 12 to 18 years. So far, in India 23 people have been found to be suffering with the new variant of Covid-19 with two cases detected on Monday.
The heavily mutated Omicron coronavirus variant is likely to spread internationally and poses a very high risk of infection surges that could have “severe consequences” in some places, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.
No Omicron-linked deaths had yet been reported, though further research was needed to assess its potential to escape protection against immunity induced by vaccines and previous infections, it added.
In fact, a study has pointed out that the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is associated with a substantial ability to evade immunity from prior Covid19 infection.
The team of researchers in South Africa noted that, in contrast, there is no population-wide epidemiological evidence of immune escape associated with the Beta or Delta variants.
Experts believe the variant carries around 50 mutations. Of these, 32 are in spike proteins, which the virus uses to enter the human cells, and 10 are mutations of high relevance.
This is the first data-based study to suggest that Omicron may evade immunity from prior infection.
“Population-level evidence suggests that the Omicron variant is associated with substantial ability to evade immunity from prior infection. In contrast, there is no population-wide epidemiological evidence of immune escape associated with the Beta or Delta variants,” the authors of the study noted.
The WHO reiterated that, pending further advice, countries should use a “risk-based approach to adjust international travel measures in a timely manner”, while acknowledging that a rise in coronavirus cases might lead to higher morbidity and mortality rates.
“The impact on vulnerable populations would be substantial, particularly in countries with low vaccination coverage,” the agency said.