Omicron Has Increased Transmissibility, Reduces Vaccine Efficacy As Per Early Data: WHO
Faster transmission was noted in South Africa where delta is less effective, whereas in the Britain, Delta is a dominant strain
Mumbai: Citing early data on the clinical severity of the new mutated strain, World Health Organisation on Sunday said that the Omicron variant of coronavirus appears to spread more quickly than the Delta variant and reduces vaccine efficacy.
“Preliminary evidence, and the considerably altered antigenic profile of the Omicron spike protein, suggests a reduction in vaccine efficacy against infection and transmission associated with Omicron,” the WHO said in a technical brief.
“Given the currently available data, it is likely that Omicron will outpace the Delta variant where community transmission occurs,” it added.
As of December 9, cases of infections with the new variant have been identified in 63 countries, said WHO. First detected in South Africa, the faster transmission was noted in the country where delta is less effective, whereas in Britain, Delta is a dominant strain.
Omicron which is a highly divergent variant with a high number of mutations is spreading faster than the delta variant, WHO suggested.
The Delta variant, first identified in India earlier this year, is responsible for most of the world’s coronavirus infections.
Although all Omicron cases reported so far have been mild or asymptomatic, the WHO claimed the evidence was insufficient to determine the clinical severity of the variation.
Some nations around the world-imposed travel restrictions on southern African countries and restored domestic travel limits in an attempt to stem the spread of the virus.
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