This article has been medically reviewed and fact-checked by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Most of the current COVID-19 vaccines have been found effective against the previous variants so far. However, over 30 mutations have been reported in the new Omicron variant. Mutations are responsible for bringing about the changes in the nature of the virus hence the question of the effectiveness of existing COVID-19 vaccines against the new variant- Omicron has arisen.
The World Health Organization has designated omicron as a “variant of concern,” adding that it can pose a very high global risk. [1]
In this article, we will see what existing vaccination options we have available at the moment and how effective, if at all, will they be against Omicron, the latest variant of COVID-19.
Adar Poonawala, CEO of Serum Institute of India (maker of Covishield vaccine), mentioned that studies are underway at the moment and the effectiveness of the Covishield vaccine with the Omicron variant can only be studied properly during the next 2-3 weeks. He further added that it’s too early to draw conclusions about the extent of the seriousness of the newly discovered Omicron, a variant that the WHO has designated with the Variant of Concern title.
In an interview with NDTV, Poonawala mentioned that a booster dose is possible specifically for the Omicron variant, however, the priority should be to get every citizen double vaccinated first.
In a research, AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine Covishield was effective against the Omicron coronavirus variation after the third treatment, with neutralising levels similar to those shown after a conventional two-dose course against the Delta variant.
Experts suggest that Covaxin could possibly be highly effective against the Omicron variant as it is a ‘whole virion inactivated coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). However, we need to wait for some more time to get concrete evidence to support this.
According to an official with the Indian Council of Medical Research, Covaxin is anticipated to be more effective against the highly mutating Omicron form than other COVID-19 vaccinations (ICMR).
“Covaxin is an inactivated whole virion vaccine. “It covers the full virus,” the official explained, “so it can operate against this highly modified new form”. “It was previously discovered that Covaxin was effective against all variations, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. As a result, we expect it to work against the new variety as well,” added another ICMR official.
In my experience variants will continue to evolve however due to robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses elicited by existing vaccines there will be cross protection.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
The Pfizer vaccine will offer strong protection against any severe symptom caused by Omicron, Reuters quoted BioNTech’s, Chief Executive Officer. Speaking to the BBC recently, Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s CEO, said he is of the view getting vaccinated every year may be the way to offer a “very high level of protection” against the deadly disease that has reportedly caused upwards of five million casualties across the world.
The company is said to be updating their jab in response to Omicron, which could be ready in a short time, possibly 100 days. At the end of this year, Pfizer is expected to have supplied about three billion doses of their mRNA vaccine. The plan for next year stands at 4 billion.
If a person is infected with COVID but with an Omicron variant, he or she is less likely to develop a severe COVID infection, although there still is a requirement for a medical advice to appropriately manage the infection.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
We’ve seen five different types of concerns in the last two years: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron. While the first four VOCs were discovered in different regions of the world in 2020, Omicron was discovered in November 2021 in South Africa.
A recent article by Nature pointed out four possible scenarios of how the virus can evolve in the future.
Scenarios 1: SARS-best CoV-2’s hope – but also the least likely – is to follow in the footsteps of measles. Infection or immunisation confers lifetime immunity and the virus spreads mostly through new births.
Scenarios 2: SARS-CoV-2 following the path of the respiratory syncytial virus is a more realistic, but still hopeful, option (RSV). The majority of persons become infected within the first two years of their lives. RSV is a leading cause of infant hospitalisation, however, most occurrences in children are minor.
Scenarios 3: The third is coronavirus imitating the influenza A virus and is responsible for global seasonal influenza epidemics each year. New variants are able to evade the immunity elicited by previous strains due to rapid evolution. Seasonal epidemics emerge, as a result, fueled mostly by the transmission of the disease among adults, who can still acquire severe symptoms. The flu vaccine helps to lessen the severity of the illness.
Scenarios 4: But if SARS-CoV-2 evolves to evade immunity more sluggishly, it might come to resemble influenza B. That virus’s slower rate of change, compared with influenza A, means that its transmission is driven largely by infections in children, who have less immunity than adults.
Last week, a WHO official stated that the next strain of concern will be more fit, i.e., more transmissible because it will have to outcompete the existing strain. “The main question is whether future versions will be more or less severe,” says the author. Although hypotheses abound, there is no guarantee that the following variants will be gentler than the prior ones.
According to the official, the future version of Covid may dodge vaccine safeguards, even more, making existing vaccines for coronavirus even less effective.
The Gamaleya Institute believes both versions, Sputnik V and Sputnik Light, will be effective at neutralising the Omicron variant. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), made a statement recently about the same, the RDIF was a key supporter of the vaccine development at the state-run Gamaleya Center. In the statement, they said that the centre “has already begun developing the new version of Sputnik vaccine adapted to Omicron.”
Johnson & Johnson mentioned on their website that it is pursuing an Omicron-specific variant vaccine and will continue to work if need be. ”The new Omicron variant highlights the importance of continued surveillance, testing and vaccination to prevent hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19,” said Dr Mathai Mammen, global head for Janssen Research & Development LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.
“We remain confident in the robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses elicited by the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated by the durability and breadth of protection against variants to date in clinical studies.” [2]
Also Read: Omicron Variant: Latest News & Updates
As of now, there is no evidence to support the thought that existing vaccines will be ineffective or less effective against the Omicron variant. As the WHO recommends, we need to continue to use vaccination as our best bet against severe illness and lower the risk of death due to COVID-19. With enough people vaccinated, the virus that is causing this pandemic will have fewer hosts. Fewer hosts mean not only fewer people getting sick, but also fewer opportunities for the virus to evolve and change. Let’s all work together to keep following the pandemic safety measures and we can eventually be safe from the virus once and for all. We need to be vigilant, but not only due to the Omicron variant. Simple actions like wearing a mask in public, maintaining social distance and regularly washing hands will help us to meaningfully lower our risk of catching this disease.
Also Read:
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
References
[1]-https://www.who.int/news/item/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern
[2]-https://www.jnj.com/johnson-johnson-to-evaluate-its-covid-19-vaccine-against-new-omicron-covid-19-variant
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, the Coronavirus is a modern-day disease that has affected us all, shaking up the entire world with its confusing, mutating nature, and ever-emerging, new variants. With the world having already witnessed 3 COVID waves, it is best to be educated and prepared.
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, has famously said that Nature is the best physician. With technological advancement, increasing dependency on machines and drugs, and a highly complex lifestyle, we are moving away from Nature and exposing ourselves to many unknown and infectious diseases. The Coronavirus is one such disease that is spreading like wildfire, and the post-COVID life is often called ”the new normal.”
As the Coronavirus is still raging on our precious planet, it is about time we expose some hidden Covid secrets, and bust some myths in the process too.
The latest variant of the Coronavirus, the Omicron variant is causing some confusion among the scientific community. The booster dose and the double vaccine dose seems to be working against the Omicron variant, which is positive news, as most of the vaccines were designed to work against the first variant of Covid.
The marvellous human immune system has a unique ability to remember past infections. Some diseases and infections are given lifelong protection by the immune system, whereas booster shots are required for the others.
A study conducted in London’s Imperial College shows that the risk of reinfection with Omicron is about 5.4 times greater than getting infected with the Delta variant. Omicron antibodies are not as effective in protecting the body from reinfection.
Omicron poses a major threat to public health, as a study shows that people having the S gene target failure are at greater risk of reinfection and also breakthrough infections.
When a virus makes copies of itself (replication), there is a possibility that it might change a little bit. Such changes are termed ‘mutations’. When a virus shows one or more new mutations, it is called a ”variant” of the virus it originated from. The longer a virus remains in circulation, the more it is likely to mutate and change. Such a process can create a variant that is more adaptable and better suited to the environment than the original virus. The mutation and natural selection of a better-adapted variant are known as ‘virus evolution’.
Certain mutations alter the virus’ attributes such as severity or transmission. The variant may become more transmissible or less deadly than its predecessor or the opposite could also happen.
Not all viruses change at the same pace. SARS-CoV-2 which is responsible for COVID-19 evolves at a much slower rate than other viruses such as the flu virus of HIV. This is due to the inbuilt proof-reading mechanism of the virus that corrects ‘errors’ when the virus duplicates itself. Studies are ongoing to find out more about this. It is important for us to know that the more this virus spreads from one person to another, the higher are the chances for it to mutate. Therefore, we must make every possible effort to reduce our risk of exposure to the virus.
We have often heard that the Omicron variant is ”just like the flu”, and ”extremely mild.” That is an extremely careless and silly way to handle the problem. While both COVID-19 and the Flu have similar symptoms like body aches, fever, cough, and headaches, the two diseases are definitely not the same. Research done in the John Hopkins research centre states that the overall profile of COVID-19 is much more serious. The mortality rate of patients suffering from COVID-19 is estimated to be about 10 times greater than the number of patients succumbing to the flu.
While there is plenty of research still ongoing relating to the Coronavirus, this pandemic appears to be far from over but there is a ray of hope that this too will end someday. We must stay away from forwards and other false information, and rather rely on dependable sources of information. In this day and age, proper education and knowledge is the key to overcoming this totally unforeseeable disease.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
The coronavirus pandemic is an ongoing global pandemic (that will hopefully in time become an epidemic). It has been responsible for causing widespread damage to people in terms of one’s physical, mental and financial health. The pandemic which initially started out in Wuhan, China in December 2019 soon took over the world in a matter of weeks. The effects of the pandemic have affected a huge number of people irrespective of how they are as individuals and to which social group or strata they belong to in their corresponding society.
Although the intensity of the ripple put into motion by the pandemic might have been internalised by people differently the one factor that has united everyone is the grief caused due to the pandemic.
But the storm has in all probability passed. With more than half of the population in India already double vaccinated, now geared up for their booster doses, people feel more confident than ever before. Civilians have eased into the new normal, the economy is slowly coming back up on its heels and people have found new outlets to come to terms with their new Covid-induced lifestyle as well as health (both physical and mental).
In this article, let us quickly revisit the earlier and ongoing variants and try to analyse if there is going to be variants worse than the Delta and Omicron?
For India, undoubtedly the potent and most dangerous variant was the Delta strain that hit the country in the earlier part of 2021. While the United States and the rest of Europe were reeling under the first COVID-19 wave in 2020, most Indians across households were safe and secure due to the nationwide lockdown during this time.
The Delta variant was our worst nightmare and everything we weren’t prepared to handle. While on the one hand, hopes were high due to the initiated vaccination drives, on the other hand, complacency and utter disregard for COVID-19 standard protocols had seeped in amongst the masses leading to a surge in infections with fatal outcomes.
Some of those who did not require hospitalisation and were able to recover at home suffered from fatigue, gastric troubles, shortness of breath, weak immunity, hairfall, COVID-19 brain fog and many other symptoms for months. While the world thought the worse was finally over with the successful completion of the full vaccination drive (comprising two doses), came the Omicron variant.
EG.5 is spreading quickly, but experts say it’s no more dangerous than previous versions. Another new variant, called BA.2.86, is being closely watched because of its mutations.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Out of all the strains till now, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has agreed that the Omicron is milder in terms of disease severity. The reason why people were worried about the Omicron variant was that it is highly transmissible owing to its ability to evade immunity, whether inherent (from previous infections) or acquired from the vaccines. The need for hospitalisation due to an infection from the Omicron variant was less as it mostly causes a mild-moderate infection.
The risk of death from an Omicron infection is also less unlike the Delta variant seen in India. The duration of the 3rd wave started by Omicron was short-lived. While the infection spread rapidly from the end of December to January. By the end of January, the wave had started to subside and soon by February 15th, experts believe that it will reduce significantly.
Given the mild nature of the current strain as well as the short duration of the wave we may assume that with further mutations, the strain of the SARS-CoV-2 is weakening. But this may not be true. Read ahead to get clarity.
There are 2 possibilities here:
The news has been spreading about the NeoCov virus which scientists in Wuhan, China are currently studying. There is a lot of fear surrounding that but experts around the world have emphasized that further research is required to come to conclusive evidence regarding the possibility, intensity and danger of the variant. For now, it is too soon to tell anything about this.
The debate on whether there is ever going to be a variant more dangerous than Delta and Omicron can be hard to address right away. While the Delta and Omicron variants are still pretty much amongst us, covid appropriate behaviour is the right practice. Governments are of the strong opinion that vaccination is a crucial tool for fighting this pandemic. However, as we continue to go about our normal lives, we should all be vigilant at all times; wear masks and sanitise our hands. We should get vaccinated, take the booster doses (when eligible) and seek medical help when our health seems even the slightest bit compromised. Together, we can bring an end to the global crisis by being responsible citizens.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
This article has been medically reviewed and fact-checked by Dr Nikita Toshi.
Around the world, more people continue to get vaccinated and settle down into a life of normalcy which is helping us to shield ourselves from the various strains and cope with the new challenges in the post-pandemic era. The discovery of a new variant has raised many new questions as well as concerns amongst the general public. We’re talking, of course, about Omicron.
Read on to find out more about the latest news around the world and in India regarding Omicron and the situation so far.
States vs. Total Cases
| State | Cases |
| Maharashtra | 2199 |
| West Bengal | 1672 |
| Rajasthan | 1276 |
| Karnataka | 766 |
| Kerala | 645 |
| Delhi | 549 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 275 |
| Gujarat | 264 |
Total active Omicron cases in India: 10,050
The Government has started a new vaccination drive as a precautionary measure for teens aged 15-18 years, frontline workers and senior citizens (3rd dose) from January 3rd 2022. The vaccine that is being administered to the teens with emergency usage approval is the indigenously developed Covaxin from Bharat Biotech.
Also Read: Is Covaxin Effective Against Omicron Variant?
So, while many people were nerve-wracked over the possibility of another lockdown, till now, there seems to be no mention of that from the Health Ministry. Many states have implemented restrictions and weekend curfews. For e.g, Delhi was earlier functioning with a ‘yellow alert’ restriction in which institutions, gyms, theatres and all shops selling non-essential items were to remain closed but currently, has gone in for weekend curfews.
Similarly, the city of Kolkata has announced 44 containment zones and a complete halt of international flights flying in and out of Kolkata to London and other ‘high risk’ cities around the world. On the domestic front, staggered flights (only on Monday and Friday) are to operate between Kolkata to Delhi and Mumbai and vice versa.
Further, a statewide lockdown had been announced in Tamil Nadu on January 23rd in view of the rapid spread of the virus.
The problem with omicron variant is due to HYPERLOCAL spread. Omicron shows a 13-fold increase in viral infectivity, and is 2.8 times more infectious than the Delta variant
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
The possibility of lockdowns in the world does not seem highly likely in the next few weeks but for now, the global situation stands as follows:
The other plan of both the companies is to test a third dose of the existing vaccine against the fourth dose vaccine targeted for omicron in vaccinated people who received this booster shot around 6 months ago from BioNTech/Pfizer.
Omicron or any other variant of Covid are a concern as the variants are somewhat unpredictable regarding the spread of infection and death rates, caution is always advised with Omicron as with other variants.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
There does not seem to be any particular demographic that is most at risk for getting infected by the new variant. However, almost all the initial data points towards Omicron being more transmissible.
In a study released by Nature, the reason why the Omicron variant has such a high transmission rate is due to its ability to bypass SARS CoV-2 immunity either caused by natural immunity or past infection or vaccination. In the same study, it was stated this strain does not have a heavy viral load, it is either similar to the Delta variant or lesser, this is the reason why it was able to replace the earlier (Delta) strain so quickly.
As per WHO statements earlier, people who were infected previously might have a higher risk of getting the Omicron variant.[1] But, this data may change as more studies are carried out over the next few weeks.
People with other comorbidities and weaker immunity may be at a higher risk.
Also Read: Omicron Variant and Vaccine Efficacy
Also Read: Does Covishield Work Effectively Against Omicron Variant?
Although it is still in the early stages, most nations and the WHO does not foresee any reason to stop using the existing vaccine. The goal has always been and continues to be a reduction in critical cases and lower death rates. Experts around the world have come to the conclusion that the Omicron variant will see its peak in February and by the end of the month it will taper off gradually. Currently, the month of January requires extreme caution as the infection is spreading fast. Apart from keeping social distance and avoiding crowded spaces the WHO recommends keeping up vaccination drives. For now, we need to wait and watch and keep calm without relaxing on standard pandemic protocols.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 started to wreak havoc around the world causing a steep rise in the number of cases, the authorities have been taken aback fearing another wave taking the lives of many as we saw in early 2021.
Thankfully, initial studies on the new variant indicate that Omicron is not as deadly as its predecessor, the Delta variant. It, however, is more contagious than the previous strains. So, the rapid increase in positivity rate has forced the global bodies to come up with a solution to this problem.
WHO periodically organizes consultations with an independent group of experts, the Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC), to review the evidence and analyse the implications of emerging variants on the performance of COVID-19 vaccines.
The body comprising independent experts suggested the need of more studies and research to understand if the composition of the current COVID-19 vaccines may need to be changed to ensure that they provide higher protection against the Variants of Concern (VOCs), including Omicron or any other future strains.
Some experts have stressed on the need for COVID-19 vaccines to produce broader, stronger and lasting immune responses to eliminate the need for successive booster doses. They opined that a vaccination strategy that is based on repeated doses of the original vaccine composition is not sustainable or appropriate.
The WHO panel, however, did not recommend the need for an Omicron-specific vaccine at the moment. They said that this can only be considered once there is enough evidence and also requested the vaccine manufacturers to share data available to them.
Viruses keep on changing and newer variants with newer characteristics may appear in future. There are chances of more mutations coming up in future.
As many as 10 vaccine manufacturing companies around the world are currently working on bringing up vaccines for COVID-19. Moreover, a total of seven potential vaccine candidates that are still under development are being tested against the new variant. Some of these newer vaccines are expected to be released in the months to come.
Here is the list of vaccines that are under development –
UNICEF has explained that some of the above-mentioned candidates may be used as booster shots or independent vaccines against the virus.
Here is the list of already existing vaccines that are being tested against the new Omicron variant –
Furthermore, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also started to study the effectiveness of already existing COVID-19 vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin – against the Omicron variant.
Studies are under process to understand the effectiveness of existing vaccines and also to evaluate the need for any modification in the vaccine composition for better protection against the newer variants. It is important for us to know that even the existing vaccines offer good protection against severe illness and death due to COVID. while We should therefore continue to get vaccinated (if eligible), and keep ourselves safe from this highly contagious variant of COVID-19. State governments across India have already imposed multiple restrictions to contain the spread of the virus and its variants. Now, it is our responsibility to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from the virus. So, keep following the social protocols and stay healthy!
The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
When India is troubled by a steep rise in the cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the United States and some European countries are facing an all-new threat called “Delmicron”. Now, you would be filled with so many queries like if this is a new variant of Coronavirus? If this is going to trigger the third wave? If it is deadlier or milder than the Omicron variant?
First of all, there is no need to panic and we are here to answer all your queries.
Delmicron is not a new variant of Coronavirus, but as per the experts, it is the term used for the infections spreading together due to twin spikes of Delta and Omicron variants. The name has also been derived by combining the names of the previous two variants of COVID-19. The reason for coming up with this name was that both variants are being found all over the world.
Currently, the US and UK are the COVID-19 hotbeds across the globe. According to the data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Omicron has already taken over the Delta variant with about 73 percent sequenced cases (by December 18). Just a week earlier, the Delta variant was dominating with a total of 87 percent caseload.
Even more shockingly, CDC has estimated that over 90 percent of the cases in portions of the Northwest, South, Southeast and Northeast are of the Omicron variant. These numbers clearly show that the US is battling both variants at the same time. The UK is also facing a similar situation with the number of cases rising rapidly.
The symptoms of the Delmicron are similar to Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19. Please have a look at the most common symptoms reported by the patients:
The researchers have claimed that both, Omicron and Delta variants, are highly transmissible. The UK government scientists, however, have claimed that people who contract the Delta variant are more likely to fall sick with serious symptoms than those who get infected with the Omicron variant.
The Indian scientists are yet to figure out how the Omicron variant would behave in the localities where there is widespread exposure to the Delta variant. Some of them, however, think that the Omicron variant would not affect the Indian population as badly as the Delta strain of COVID-19.
Looking at the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, some experts believe that even if a majority of people report mild symptoms, third wave can affect a larger population. The total number of hospitalisations can still be higher if we do not limit the spread of this virus. Are we on the brink of the third COVID-19 wave?
India has started to feel the heat of carelessly celebrating the holiday season of the New Year 2022. On Friday, 7th Jan 2022, India has reported 1,17,100 cases of COVID-19 infection which is way higher than a few weeks earlier when there were just about 5,000 cases being recorded in a day. It would not be wrong to say that we are heading towards yet another wave of COVID pandemic.
The governments of respective states have started to impose night curfews and close down schools and cinema halls, but all this would be futile if we as the citizen of India do not understand our responsibility and abide by the social protocols established by the government. All of us must avoid social gatherings, wear a mask whenever outside and maintain physical distancing at public places. Getting vaccinated is also one of our main responsibilities to protect ourselves and our country from the dreadful effects of COVID-19.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has wreaked havoc in our lives since 2020 and we have seen our world going through many ebbs and flows for this in the last two years. One moment, everything seems to go in the right direction, whereas in the next we are preparing for a new wave. But even in these uncertain times, we have managed to create many effective vaccines for our protection. This is no easy feat and we have our brilliant scientists to thank for that.
But the one thing that is more unpredictable than the outcome of the virus is the virus itself. It has been mutating heavily, and people are confused whether the existing vaccines are going to be effective against it or not. The current mutated variant – the Omicron variant stands as the most infectious one, and we must find out if our vaccines can protect us against it or not.
Not a lot is known about the Omicron Variant, but we know that it was first reported in South Africa. We know with the help of current reports and studies that the Omicron variant is far more infectious than the Delta variant or even the earlier COVID-19 strains such as Alpha or Beta. According to the CDC, the Omicron variant is known to spread from an infected person to another very easily even if they do not inhabit any symptoms, or even if they are fully vaccinated. But there have been fewer reports of people being in critical condition after getting infected with the Omicron variant.
Vaccines should be effective against the Omicron variant, just like they have proven themselves to be effective against all the previous ones. But even then, more research is being carried out to know just how effective the vaccines are against the Omicron variant. The research will reveal if two doses will suffice, or how effective a booster dose will be, what percentage of antibody boost can we expect from a 3-vaccine schedule, etc.
For Indians, the good news is, scientists have found that Covaxin is effective against Omicron. Covaxin has proven itself to be extremely effective against the Delta variant as well as the others, so there is no reason why it shouldn’t work at all against Omicron. It has even been supported by Samiran Panda, the head of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Studies are ongoing to find more evidence to back up the initial findings. So, in the Covaxin VS Omicron battle, it is the home-grown vaccine that is going to come out as victorious. Research is ongoing to determine whether a third dose of Covaxin is required or whether people vaccinated with Covaxin should opt for cocktail vaccination, which means the third dose should be of another vaccine such as Covishield.
Also Read: Precautions to Take Against Omicron Variant
You need to continue following the general precautionary rules that have been in place for the last two years.
Another way that you can increase your chances against the virus is by getting yourself fully vaccinated. In this Omicron VS Covaxin war, if you want Covaxin to win, then get both doses of the vaccine. If you choose the right side in this contest between Omicron VS Covaxin and follow the basic COVID rules, you can keep yourself protected against the disease and even reduce its spread of it.
Also Read: Is Covishield Effective Against Omicron?
It is extremely important to stay cautious during these uncertain times and get yourself tested anytime you see any symptoms. This is going to be a difficult battle against COVID-19, but if we follow the rules we will win and emerge victoriously.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
As an impending third wave stares at us in the face here in India, concerns are being raised regarding the effectiveness of existing vaccines against the new variant, Omicron. One of the primary questions being asked is whether the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine, Covishield, can put up a fight against the highly contagious variant. While there is a long way before conclusive evidence comes to light, some studies do provide some information and a possible answer to the ‘Covishield vs omicron’ debate.
Before we find out how effective a tool Covishield is, we should be abreast with what we already know about the new variant. Omicron‘s roots can be traced back to South Africa, where the first case was detected. Since then, it has traversed the world and spread like wildfire. This confirms one thing: the rate of spreading is very high this time.
The first case in India was found in December in Karnataka. The variant has started to engulf large parts of the subcontinent as well. While the severity of this variant is yet to be confirmed, there has been a lot of talk surrounding the role of vaccines in fighting this wave. Many opine that to battle omicron, Covishield might be the weapon we need.
In a study done at Oxford last month, it was revealed that those who had taken 3rd dose of Covishield had a higher antibody level. Previous studies had talked at length regarding the effectiveness of a two-dose vaccination against the Delta variant. Although done on a small sample of 41 people, the recent study shows that three doses do increase the chances of increased effectiveness of covishield against omicron.
More studies suggest that two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, coupled with a booster shot, offer 70-75% efficacy against the new variant. Hence, with time and more surveys, the question of ”is Covishield effective against omicron” will get its due answers.
As of 5th January 2022, 61.5 crore people in India have been fully vaccinated with two doses, which accounts for 44.5% of the total population. Children belonging to the 15-18 year age group have also started receiving the first dose of Covaxin. The aforementioned Oxford study may suggest that a booster shot is the way to go, but the fact remains that more than half of India’s population is yet to be fully vaccinated.
Keeping the sudden surge in cases in mind, the government has decided to begin giving boosters to health workers, frontline workers and those above 60 years of age with co-morbidities from January 10, 2022. This was a crucial and much-needed step. Possibly, all other age groups too will soon afterwards come under the ambit of the third dose. But more importantly, the country should want to make sure everyone receives their first two doses. So, if you are yet not fully vaccinated, book your slot right away.
Also Read: Is Covaxin Effective Against Omicron?
As you wait your chance in line for your booster in the form of covishield, omicron will continue to rage outside. Therefore everyone would be best advised to keep on adhering to the safety measures. These include:
You might come across news clippings and primetime shows with headlines asking ”does covishield work against omicron”. In reality, we all need to wait for some more time before we can say anything with certainty. But there is no doubt that the vaccine is in fact the first step towards curbing this pandemic. Stay cautious, stay safe and save lives.
Also Read: Precautions Against The Omicron Variant
Disclaimer:
The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
The Omicron wave is looming and India must prepare itself to deal with another possible outbreak, this time triggered by the new COVID-19 variant called Omicron. But before you start to despair, let us tell you that you can keep yourself safe from it. And it starts with awareness. COVID cases are indeed increasing in India. But why? Is it just because Omicron is very contagious or is something else behind it? Read on to find out.
The second wave that was caused by the Delta had abated by October. India started registering very few cases since October. Naturally, most of us thought that the worst of COVID-19 has passed.
But in late November 2021, South African scientists identified a new variant which was named Omicron or B.1.1.529. This is by far the most infectious COVID-19 variant and very soon Omicron cases began to be reported in other countries of Africa, Europe and the Americas.
In early December, Omicron reached India. By December 31st, India crossed the 16,000 Covid cases mark, for the first time in 4 months. With 16, 764 cases being reported on 31st December, India has logged the highest case count since October. The number has been rising steadily since then. According to the Union Ministry of Health, the Omicron case tally, for now, is 1700.
Densely populated states and cities naturally rank high. Maharashtra and the NCT have more Omicron cases than the rest of the country. By December 31st, Delhi recorded a 42% increase, and Mumbai a 46% increase from the previous day.
The positivity rate, for now, is 1.87%. According to WHO, this rate should be below 5%. Once the 5% mark is crossed, containing the spread becomes immensely challenging.
Maharashtra, the NCT and Karnataka hospitals have been admitting a steady stream of COVID-19 patients, the number being higher than that of the last few months. The good news is most of these people are recovering well. This is in keeping with what has been observed in South Africa and the UK.
So far, there are no reports on the severity of illness in cases of COVID-19 caused by omicron among the vulnerable population (babies and people with comorbidities).
One reason why COVID cases are increasing in India is that Omicron is highly transferable. As soon as it arrived in India, experts knew that it would spread and there would be a risk of the third wave. Caution was sounded.
However, not all cases of COVID-19 being recorded are triggered by Omicron. So why did COVID cases abate and then pick up again?
The most obvious reason is our complacency. As soon as the second wave receded, people began to relax COVID-19 precautions. Even the previous variants like Delta are still spreading and causing infections. When we do not mask up, sanitize or wash up, we make ourselves and everyone else vulnerable to an infection caused by any COVID-19 variant.
The increase in travelling and gatherings during the winter festive season has been a contributing factor in the spike of Covid cases everywhere.
Also Read: What Precautions to Take Against Omicron Variant?
The Union Government and state governments (such as West Bengal) have already released or devised new COVID-19 circulars outlining the restrictions that have or will come into force. Common guidelines you may expect include operating trains and metros at 50% capacity, quarantine zones, work from home wherever possible, 50% attendance in offices, night curfews, restriction of flights, etc.
Now the onus is on every one of us to be cautious. Only by being prudent will we be able to keep ourselves safe from Omicron, the other variants of COVID-19 and from the third wave. Let us not be complacent just because Omicron is likely to be less dangerous than the other variants. The threat is serious. The third wave is at our doorstep and for the next few weeks, we must all observe every COVID-19 precaution.
Studies predict that unless we are careful, the third wave caused by Omicron may result in 150% more cases than the second wave. Such a caseload would overwhelm our healthcare services.
For age 15 to 18 COVID vaccines are being administered now. So please get your child registered for the vaccine. If you are yet to receive full vaccination, make sure that you get both doses as soon as possible. Vaccination can save lives.
Also Read: Is Covishield Effective Against Omicron Variant?
Let us all recall the horrors of the second wave. It is fresh in our collective memory. Let us make sure that there is no repeat of that. For the sake of our loved ones, and our country and world at large. We can all try to be cautious in the upcoming days. Cancel your holiday plans (if possible), and avoid crowds because health is more important right now than enjoyment.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Omicron has already started creating chaos, and now people are wondering if they are going to experience the same mayhem the Delta variant of COVID-19 had caused earlier in 2021. Well, if you are also terrified of going through the same agony again, here is good news for you!
As per the initial research and studies, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 poses 50 to 70 per cent fewer chances of hospitalisation as compared to the previous strains. They, however, have cautioned to be careful as it still has the potential to lead many people to the hospitals. Following safety protocols sincerely can help us in minimising the spread of this wave.
The UK Health Security Agency has claimed that the initial results of the research suggest that most of the infected people would recover without any hospital care but still, the variant can cause a lot of damage.
Defining the reason behind the potential threat, the experts explained that the Omicron variant spreads way faster than the Delta variant and also has the capability to dodge the vaccine, which the earlier strains were unable to do. Hence, it may infect a larger number of people and hence, can cause too many hospitalisations.
Studies conducted across all the countries including England, South Africa, Scotland and Denmark have shown similar results. All of them have accepted the new strain to be far more contagious but milder in terms of symptoms. It is important to know that it can also cause moderate to severe illness as well as death.
The United Kingdom has been one of the worst affected countries in terms of Omicron spread as of now. Since November this year, a total of 132 people have been admitted to the hospital after contracting the Omicron variant. Out of these, 14 people have died within 28 days of being infected.
The study has highlighted some interesting insights. Have a look:
The concerning thing is that the virus may be causing milder symptoms but this advantage may go down the drain because of its higher contagiousness.
Moreover, the experts are still not sure what this strain is going to do with the older people, people with comorbid conditions, unvaccinated population. Due to the high rate of transmission, it can burden the healthcare system and cause a lot of problems if taken lightly. The threat of delta is not over yet, as it is still the dominant variant.
Also Read: Is Covishield Effective Against Omicron?
Omicron has been presenting itself with milder symptoms because of the combination of people’s immunity and certain changes to the virus itself.
The initial studies have found out that most of the people who have contracted the new variant have been infected before with the previous variants or have already taken the vaccination. Both of these qualities provide a robust defence mechanism against the virus.
The lab studies have also shown that the way the Omicron variant infects our body is also different from the Delta variant. Unlike its predecessor, Omicron infects the airways of the person instead of messing up the deep tissues of the lungs, which makes it easier for it to spread, but milder as it stays away from the delicate parts of the lungs.
The precautions and steps to be taken remain the same as before. It is essential to mask yourself properly, take both doses of vaccines (if not yet vaccinated), maintain physical distancing, follow hand hygiene, respiratory etiquettes and maintain good ventilation to the maximum possible.
The Omicron variant may be able to cause breakthrough infection but vaccinations do prevent the chances of severe infection. Hence, vaccination is still our best shield against this or any upcoming variant of COVID-19.
Read More: Precautions to Take Against The Omicron Variant
Omicron for sure is here to modify our New Year plans, but with a little caution and determination, we surely can protect ourselves and our loved ones from this virus and finally push COVID-19 to the endemic stage, where it was supposed to be by the start of the year 2022. So, please keep wearing masks and avoid large gatherings till instructed otherwise. Stay safe and happy.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Next Page »