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The Omikron supercar is spreading around the world, also targeting people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This is absolutely not evidence that vaccinations are ineffective. But the question is, what is it about this mutation that increases infections even after immunization? Dr. Allison Arwady from Chicago talked about it on NBC. “Omicron is really different,” she admitted.
- For those who are vaccinated, Omikron is 2,7 – 3,7 times more infectious than Delta, says virologist Prof. Szuster-Ciesielska, citing research from Denmark
- It is also known that the protection offered by vaccines diminishes over time. Hence the need for a booster dose
- However, while Omikron “escapes” to some extent from antibodies, the T cell response is largely conserved. This explains why vaccinated people tend to be less ill
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Omicrons are three times more infectious to the vaccinated than Delta
Since we learned about the existence of the Omicron and its record number of mutations (there are 50 of them, including 32 crucial in the infection process), we ask ourselves to what extent we are protected against it by vaccinations that have been used for months. Information about the growing number of breakthrough infections, that is, cases in people who are fully vaccinated, may be worrying. This proves that Omikron also transmits among vaccinated people. – Danish research shows that compared to Delta, Omikron is 2,7 to 3,7 times more infectious for them – said virologist Prof. Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska.
It is worth remembering that vaccinated people who become infected with Omikron are more likely to develop mild symptoms. And this is evidence that vaccines work. Because although they do not protect against infection with Omikron as well as in the case of other variants, they protect against the severe course of the disease, and this is what vaccination is all about.
Another important point arises here – we know that this protection declines over time. Hence the importance of a booster dose. Its effectiveness is shown in the report of the United Kingdom Health Security Agency. After the second dose, protection against hospitalization for COVID-19 caused by Omikron was 52%, after the third dose, it increased to 88%.
Do you want to test your COVID-19 immunity after vaccination? Have you been infected and want to check your antibody levels? See the COVID-19 immunity test package, which you will perform at Diagnostics network points.
Why does Omikron infect the vaccinated? A doctor about a certain phenomenon
Considering the above, many people are probably wondering what is it about this variant that leads to an increase in infections, also after vaccination, and what happens in the body when an omicron infection begins. The issue on NBC was explained by Dr. Allison Arwady, a leading Chicago physician (commissioner of the city’s Public Health Department). The doctor emphasized that she “makes hypotheses on the basis of what she knows about the science of the immune system and what we see”.
- Omicron attacks the vaccinated. An epidemiology professor reveals what the symptoms are
It all starts with antibodies. Arwady reminds us that they are the immediate immune response – the first line of defense. “ When you catch or be vaccinated against COVID-19, you teach your body to fight it in the future – you build antibodies, ” he explains. – We also know that antibody levels decline over time. It happens after vaccination and natural infection – he adds. And while the booster dose “rebuilds” protection, the Omikron is very fast (up to 70 times more contagious than Delta).
Fortunately, antibodies are not the only tool of the immune system, says Dr. Arwady. Behind them are the “slower parts of the immune system” – B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes – They will not protect you from infection, but by killing infected cells, preventing them from replicating and getting to the lungs – they protect against the severe course of COVID-19 – she explained. Let us add the recent words of prof. Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska, who drew attention to the fact that despite the extensive escape of Omikron from antibodies, about 80 percent. T cell response is conserved.
Dr. Fauci warns: Omikron will eventually find just about anyone
A good summary of the above information is what Dr. Anthony Fauci quoted by CNN: – The Omikron, with its remarkable, unprecedented degree of transfer efficiency, will eventually find almost anyone – said the chief medical advisor to the US president.
- Who is most resistant to an Omicron infection? Interesting research results
– Some of the vaccinated and “boosted” (with a booster dose), maybe many, will become infected, but with a high probability, with some exceptions, they will do quite well in terms of not hospitalizing and avoiding death.
You may be interested in:
- How long does the coronavirus live in the air? The first such study and important conclusions
- Why do some people not get COVID-19? This can make you super immune
- A doctor from the Emergency Department in New York tells how patients with Omikron get sick
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