Who is most resistant to an Omicron infection? Interesting research results

Since the discovery of the Omikron super-variant, we have been asking ourselves how effectively vaccines against COVID-19 and the disease are protected against it. A recent study was published that suggests who may be most resistant to an Omicron infection. It has not been reviewed yet and therefore cannot be considered conclusive. Nevertheless, it is worth knowing what they showed.

1. Following the detection of Omikron, concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of post-vaccination and post-infection immunity. Scientists in New York have published a preliminary and yet to be reviewed study of the problem
2. COVID-19 disease followed by vaccination resulted in the highest neutralizing antibody titers to the Omikron super variant
3. After the booster dose, the convalescents had higher titers of antibodies against Omikron than those who did not have an infection and also received a third injection of the vaccine 
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

Omikron supernatural and vaccine efficacy. Where do the fears come from?

In mid-November, we heard for the first time about a new variant of the coronavirus – Omikron, which has developed the largest number of mutations so far. There are as many as 50 of them, including 32 in the protein that allows the virus to penetrate into our cells (the so-called spike protein). Recall that this protein is the “target” of vaccines.

It is also known that the area that directly binds to our cell receptor is changed in 10 places in Omicron. On the other hand, the remaining super-variant proteins have not changed, hence the antibodies already produced (as a result of disease or vaccination) directed to the unchanged regions of the Omicron are still effective.

All this raised some fundamental questions: how effective the current post-infection and post-vaccination immunity will be, and therefore who is most at risk of getting infected with Omikron (and we know that it is more infectious than Delta). A recent study exploring this issue was published on bioRxiv.org. They were conducted by scientists from the New York University School of Medicine. The work has not yet been reviewed, so it should not be used as an established piece of information.

Containment of COVID-19, vaccinations and immunity to Omikron. Research

Researchers from New York tested how much Omikron avoids neutralizing antibodies raised after COVID-19 disease and vaccination. For this purpose, serum samples (blood plasma devoid of clot factor) were tested. Volunteers participating in the research belonged to three groups. They were convalescents, fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with mRNA preparations and after the third dose, as well as people who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and vaccinated (BioNTech preparation).

Convalescence sera were collected 32–57 days after the onset of symptoms, material from those inoculated 80 and 90 days after the second immunization (depending on the vaccine). Inoculated recoveries were sampled one month, followed by seven to eight months after the second dose. Sera from booster vaccinated subjects were collected one month after booster dosing.

Who is the most resistant to Omicron? Here is the result of the research

Sera from unvaccinated study participants showed a slight reduction in antibody titer against the Beta and Delta variants compared to the primary coronavirus variant. In the case of Omikron, the decrease was 26 times.

Compared to the above group, samples from people after two doses of mRNA vaccines had three to four times higher titers of antibodies against the primary variant, but titers of antibodies against Omikron were also lower (compared to those against the primary version of SARS-CoV-2 ). The smallest differences were observed in convalescents.

Importantly, one month after booster immunization, neutralizing titers against all variants increased. As far as Omikron is concerned, it was a six to eight-fold increase. The vaccinated convalescents were in the best position. They had the highest levels of these antibodies after a booster dose. “The results highlight the benefits of booster immunization in providing protection against Omicrons,” concluded researchers at the New York University School of Medicine.

Finally, let us recall the recent words of Dr. Małgorzata Fleischer, a microbiologist from the University Teaching Hospital in Wrocław. – Without a booster dose, immunity to the effects of Omikron infection is estimated at about 10%, but after administration of this dose it reaches as much as 75%. – said the scientist.

You may be interested in:

1. How long does the coronavirus live in the air? The first such study and important conclusions
2. Why do some people not get COVID-19? This can make you super immune
3. A doctor from the Emergency Department in New York tells how patients with Omikron get sick

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.