{"id":200767,"date":"2021-12-06T12:02:12","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T12:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=200767"},"modified":"2021-12-05T05:04:31","modified_gmt":"2021-12-05T05:04:31","slug":"omg-omicron-why-its-too-soon-to-panic-about-covid-vaccines-and-the-new-variant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2021\/12\/omg-omicron-why-its-too-soon-to-panic-about-covid-vaccines-and-the-new-variant\/","title":{"rendered":"OMG, Omicron! Why It\u2019s too Soon to Panic about COVID Vaccines and the New Variant"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote><p>3 Dec 2021 \u2013<em> We won&#8217;t know whether Omicron evades COVID vaccines for another few weeks. Here&#8217;s why.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_200768\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/omicron-covid-variant-vaccines.webp\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-200768\" class=\"wp-image-200768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/omicron-covid-variant-vaccines-1024x577.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/omicron-covid-variant-vaccines-1024x577.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/omicron-covid-variant-vaccines-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/omicron-covid-variant-vaccines-768x433.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/omicron-covid-variant-vaccines.webp 1296w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-200768\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Omicron &#8211; The Hollywood Reporter<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Researchers around the world are trying to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/11\/28\/health\/covid-omicron-vaccines-immunity.html\" >work out<\/a> whether existing COVID vaccines protect us from the latest variant, Omicron.<\/p>\n<p>The worst-case scenario is the virus has mutated so much in the crucial parts of its genome that it can escape COVID vaccines designed to protect us from earlier versions of the virus \u2013 with devastating consequences globally.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">.<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WHO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" >@WHO<\/a> Technical Lead on Covid-19 <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mvankerkhove?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" >@mvankerkhove<\/a> lays out what you need to know about Omicron: \u201cWe\u2019ll get some information on transmissibility and severity in the coming days,\u201d she says, though it\u2019ll take 2-4 weeks for preliminary information on the impact of vaccines on Omicron. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/H48JLsOEkI\" >pic.twitter.com\/H48JLsOEkI<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/amanpour\/status\/1465383670097850374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" >November 29, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s too soon to panic. And vaccines may end up protecting us against Omicron after all, as they have done with earlier variants.<\/p>\n<p>The World Health Organization (WHO) says it will take us another two to four weeks to figure out what\u2019s going on. Here\u2019s what scientists around the world are racing to find out.<\/p>\n<h3>Why the concern?<\/h3>\n<p>The reason Omicron has caused global alarm is due to the number of <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/outbreak.info\/compare-lineages\" >new mutations<\/a> throughout the genome of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.<\/p>\n<p>This data, coupled with <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/outbreak.info\/situation-reports\/omicron?loc=ZAF&amp;loc=GBR&amp;loc=USA&amp;selected=ZAF\" >real world data<\/a> on the rapid rise in Omicron cases in South Africa, prompted the WHO to designate Omicron a \u201c<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern\" >variant of concern<\/a>\u201d on November 26.<\/p>\n<p>Omicron has now been detected in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/outbreak.info\/situation-reports\/omicron?loc=ZAF&amp;loc=GBR&amp;loc=USA&amp;selected=ZAF\" >several other countries<\/a> around the world.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Omicron COVID-19 variant is now classified as a \u2019variant of concern\u2019 (VOC). While data on the Omicron is limited, here\u2019s what we know about this variant so far. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UpwcQH58Kj\" >https:\/\/t.co\/UpwcQH58Kj<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Healthline (@Healthline) <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Healthline\/status\/1466124694038663168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" >December 1, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve already seen some Omicron mutations in other variants.<\/p>\n<p>Individually, some of these mutations have been associated with <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41591-021-01270-4\" >resistance to neutralising antibodies<\/a>. In other words, these mutations help the virus evade recognition by an immune system primed with a COVID-19 vaccine.<\/p>\n<p>Some of these individual mutations have also been linked with <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7791602\/\" >increased transmissibility<\/a> of the virus from one person to another.<\/p>\n<p>However, Omicron has many unique mutations. For instance, on the spike protein, the protein used in many current vaccines, Omicron has <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/outbreak.info\/compare-lineages\" >about 30 mutations<\/a> compared with the virus that came out of Wuhan. Delta has only ten mutations in its spike protein. So you get an idea of the scale of change.<\/p>\n<p>Investigating the way these multiple mutations interact with one another, rather than individually, will be key to understanding how Omicron behaves compared with other variants.<\/p>\n<p>Looking at these interactions will tell us more about Omicron\u2019s ability to infect cells, cause disease and escape vaccines. And experiments are under way to investigate these mutations and their impacts.<\/p>\n<p>While we wait for the results, we heard this week from <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2021\/nov\/30\/moderna-boss-predicts-current-vaccines-may-be-less-effective-against-omicron\" >some of the vaccine manufacturers<\/a>. Moderna said its vaccine would be less effective against Omicron than against Delta. Meanwhile, Pfizer\/BioNTech said its vaccine would still protect against severe disease. Both companies said they could produce tweaked <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/society\/2021\/nov\/26\/biontech-says-it-could-tweak-covid-vaccine-in-100-days-if-needed\" >booster vaccines<\/a>, if needed.<\/p>\n<h3>Why will it take weeks to get answers?<\/h3>\n<p>Here\u2019s what researchers around the world are working on and why we won\u2019t have answers for a few weeks.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Growing the virus<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Researchers are taking samples of Omicron from infected people and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/patience-crucial-why-we-won-t-know-weeks-how-dangerous-omicron\" >growing the virus in laboratories<\/a>. This gives them working stocks of the virus to conduct experiments. This can take time as you\u2019re often starting with tiny amounts of virus from a swab.<\/p>\n<p>This process also relies on access to the right types of cells to grow the virus in.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, this needs to be done in laboratories that offer a high level of biosafety, to contain the virus. Not all researchers have access to these facilities.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Make your own \u2018virus\u2019<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Researchers can also use genetic tools to produce the virus in the laboratory, requiring only the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosbiology\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pbio.3001091\" >genome sequence<\/a> of SARS-CoV-2 to begin production. This removes the reliance on patient samples.<\/p>\n<p>They can also produce <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7936541\/\" >genetically engineered viruses<\/a>, called pseudotyped viruses, in the laboratory. These carry only the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.<\/p>\n<p>Researchers can also express small portions of the spike protein on the surface of other organisms, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7869748\/\" >such as yeast<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>All of these options take time to set up, optimise and be used in the types of studies outlined below.<\/p>\n<h3>Both methods are useful<\/h3>\n<p>Initial studies will look at how Omicron\u2019s mutations impact the fitness of the variant \u2013 its transmissibility and ability to evade vaccine-induced immunity.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, initial experiments will look at Omicron\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7332439\/\" >ability to infect cells<\/a>. These studies will tell us how well Omicron\u2019s spike protein interacts with the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/what-is-the-ace2-receptor-how-is-it-connected-to-coronavirus-and-why-might-it-be-key-to-treating-covid-19-the-experts-explain-136928\" >ACE2 receptor<\/a>, the gateway to infecting our cells. Further studies will investigate how well Omicron can replicate in cells after gaining entry.<\/p>\n<p>Neutralisation studies will investigate how well antibodies \u2013 induced by current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines \u2013 can neutralise Omicron, or prevent it from infecting cells. Such studies rely on access to serum from vaccinated people and are likely to compare the neutralising capacity of Omicron against other SARS-CoV-2 variants.<\/p>\n<p>Studies are also likely to investigate the effect of vaccine booster regimes and earlier SARS-CoV-2 infection on how well antibodies neutralise Omicron.<\/p>\n<p>So what can we expect? Until we get the results of these experiments, it\u2019s difficult to say for certain.<\/p>\n<p>Studies of how effective COVID-19 vaccines are against other variants show they <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8442750\/\" >are generally less able<\/a> to induce the type of antibody response we\u2019d like to see (neutralising antibodies). However, when previous variants have emerged, vaccines have continued to protect against severe disease.<\/p>\n<p>Vaccine protection is not all or nothing. We are unlikely to get a perfect neutralising antibody response against Omicron, or no response, rather something in between.<\/p>\n<h3>We\u2019ll also know more as we see more cases<\/h3>\n<p>Continued monitoring of real-world data will also be essential to determine how Omicron impacts the broader pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>Whether Omicron is able to spread from seeding events around the world or compete with Delta are questions to be answered in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Whether infection with Omicron <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/av\/uk-59450988\" >causes less or more serious disease<\/a> also remains unclear. Monitoring hospitalisation rates will be key here.<\/p>\n<h3>We still need to tackle Delta<\/h3>\n<p>Currently <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/outbreak.info\/situation-reports\" >fewer than 200 genetic sequences<\/a> of Omicron have been compiled compared with more than 2.8 million Delta sequences. Delta remains the most dominant variant. So we should continue to use vaccines and therapies we know work against Delta.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also essential we continue with public health measures, such as wearing masks and social distancing, alongside continued vaccination, to combat the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the emergence of further variants.<\/p>\n<p>____________________________________________<\/p>\n<p><em>Have you read?<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gavi.org\/vaccineswork\/hunt-coronavirus-variants-how-new-one-was-found-and-what-we-know-so-far\" ><em>The hunt for coronavirus variants: how the new one was found and what we know so\u00a0far<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gavi.org\/vaccineswork\/theres-only-one-way-stop-emergence-variants-omicron\" >There&#8217;s Only One Way to Stop the Emergence of Variants Like Omicron<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gavi.org\/vaccineswork\/covid-variants-we-spoke-experts-designing-single-vaccine-defeat-them-all\" >COVID variants: we spoke to the experts designing a single vaccine to defeat them\u00a0all<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/adam-taylor-1152264\" ><em>Adam Taylor &#8211;<\/em><\/a><em> Early Career Research Leader, Emerging Viruses, Inflammation and Therapeutics Group, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/griffith-university-828\" >Griffith University<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gavi.org\/vaccineswork\/omg-omicron-why-its-too-soon-panic-about-covid-vaccines-and-new-variant\" >Go to Original &#8211; gavi.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>3 Dec 2021 &#8211; We won&#8217;t know whether Omicron evades COVID vaccines for another few weeks. Here&#8217;s why.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":200768,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2236],"tags":[2017,271,1879,1829,1868,289,744,401,710,2609,1937,2428,1864,2186,1102,723,304,1447,1889,2014,1836],"class_list":["post-200767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-covid19-coronavirus","tag-airborne-contagion","tag-community","tag-compassion","tag-coronavirus","tag-covid-19","tag-economy","tag-empathy","tag-environment","tag-health","tag-ivermectin","tag-lockdown","tag-medical-industrial-complex","tag-pandemic","tag-pcr-tests","tag-public-health","tag-research","tag-science","tag-science-and-medicine","tag-vitamin-c","tag-vitamin-d","tag-who"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=200767"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200767\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/200768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=200767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=200767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=200767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}