We are not panicking enough about the Omicron variant

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What we don’t know: In all the panic, it’s important to remember that we still don’t know much about the new variants-and we have been worried about the variants that didn’t get any results in the past. The key question is whether it will increase infectivity, whether it will worsen health outcomes—thus driving up deaths and hospitalizations—and, crucially, whether it will weaken the immunity provided by vaccines or previous infections. For any of these questions, we don’t have a definitive answer-although depending on the mutation, it seems that it may affect the effectiveness of the vaccine to some extent.

If this is the case, then vaccine manufacturers will have to act quickly to launch a new version. Fortunately, mRNA technology means that reformulation of vaccines is relatively easy. Modern”s Chief Medical Officer Paul Burton Tell BBC On Sunday, his company may have a new booster — one adjusted to handle Omicron — ready to launch early next year.

Researchers all over the world are now racing to collect the data we need to know to understand how worried we should be. We don’t know exactly how Omicron emerged. Experts have long warned that the imbalance in global vaccine supply-Omicron seems to have originated in South Africa with a 35% vaccination rate-constitutes a global risk because it gives the virus more opportunities to mutate.

what can you do: As was the case throughout the pandemic, the best thing you and your loved ones can do to protect yourself is to get vaccinated. If you are offered a booster, accept it. Although Omicron may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine, it will not completely eradicate it.



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