Omicron unlikely to be vaccine evasive

New Delhi: First cases of new variant of Covid-19, Omicron, in India have been confirmed, as general public and health officials speculate a possible third wave of the virus. Bizz Buzz spoke with Dr K Srinath Reddy, president, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), on the entry of the new variant, its severity and efficacy of the existing vaccines against Omicron.

Speaking to Bizz Buzz on the nature and behaviour of the new variant virus, Dr Reddy said: "As of now, we know that Omicron variant is highly infectious, but it is unlikely to be vaccine evasive. While it may not completely escape the effect of vaccine, the effect of some of the environment vaccines and as well as other spike protein-specific vaccines may be diminished. Whether the effect of the inactivated virus vaccine also will be diminished or not that is not certain, because that's not spike protein-specific."

He said that speculations on the exact nature of the mutated virus should not be made till

laboratories confirm otherwise. "So, until the National Institute of Virology actually does the test and tells us, we will have to wait. But it appears that it may be more resistant in the effect of mutations than some of the spike specific-protein vaccines," Dr Reddy stated.

The former head of the Cardiology Department at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has said that one can't let the guard down just yet and that adequate measures need to be undertaken to prevent the spread of that virus. He reiterated on the importance of traditional methods of public health advice i.e., wear masks, social distancing and also trying to go in well ventilated areas, avoiding large crowded events, some of the important elements that must continue to follow.

On the severity and symptoms of the Omicron variant, Dr. Reddy said, "it appears to be reassuring that most of the cases are so far only having mild symptoms, somewhat asymptomatic symptoms, so home care may be more than adequate. We have to prepare our hospitals, but much more focus will be on testing and homecare rather than large hospital preparations at the moment."

As of December 5, India has 12 confirmed infections of Omicron variant which has so far spread to 38 countries.

On the efficacy of the vaccine, Dr KS Reddy said, "We do not know vaccine efficacy, unless it is specific. Let's not speculate. One of the biggest problems in science is too much of speculation, and too little of testing in time. So, I think we must wait for the results. You see, even the 50 percent efficacy was basically against severe infection and against all infections. It has provided good protection. Moderna CEO has said that there is going to be a mark reduction of Moderna vaccine against the new variant because of the spike protein mutation. Spike protein mutation may not affect the efficacy of the vaccine. But we do not know, we will have to wait for it."

"There are two ways of finding out. One is to find out what the reinfection rate are and breakthrough infection rate in people. Secondly, finding out in the laboratory. Laboratory tests are on now at National Institute of Virology, probably in a week or 10 days we will know. But irrespective of that if the symptoms are only mild, then we should not panic," he further commented.

Although the new variant has milder symptoms in comparison to the Delta variant, the exact

severity of the mutated virus is yet to be known.

"We've already had Delta variant substantially in our country. It is in the new territories where Delta is spreading, we will have to see what the competition is going to be," he said. The observation so far by the global community suggest that the heavily-mutated Omicron may be markedly more contagious than previous variants. However, there has been no evidence of the strain being deadlier.

According to Dr. Reddy, the possibility of the virus reaching an endemic stage in the coming days or months is unlikely. He said that the ultimately evolutionary biology will dictate the virus which will evolve into a more infectious but less prevalent form.

Speculations Over Mutated Virus

♦ Omicron variant is highly infectious

♦ It may not completely escape the effect of vaccine

♦ Report on Omicron from National Institute of Virology awaited

♦ It appears that it may be more resistant in the effect of mutations