Is Omicron the end of pandemic or start of a new innings?

Travel Med Infect Dis

Department of Physiology, University of Gour Banga, Malda, 732103, West Bengal, India. Electronic address:

Published: June 2022

AI Article Synopsis

  • In November 2021, the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in South Africa, leading the WHO to classify it as a variant of concern due to its rapid spread and ability to evade immunity.
  • Omicron has over 60 mutations and its sub-lineages (BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.3) exhibit additional changes, resulting in this variant causing less severe illness compared to Delta but still posing risks to the unvaccinated.
  • A debate is ongoing among scientists about Omicron's potential role as a natural vaccine, with some arguing that it might boost immunity similarly to live attenuated vaccines, while others warn of its significant health risks.

Article Abstract

In the middle of November 2021, Omicron (B.1.1.529), a novel variant of SARS-CoV-2 was identified in South Africa. Owing to continuous increasing cases with rapid transmissibility and immune evasion, the World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized this strain as a variant of concern (VOC). In total, over 60 mutations have been identified in Omicron (BA.1) and latterly, its three sub-lineages (BA.1.1, BA.2, and BA.3) have also been found with additional mutations and pathogenicity. The highly contagious Omicron causes less severe sickness than Delta, but it is still dangerous for those who have not been vaccinated. Following the unique identification of the Omicron variant, a fresh debate has erupted regarding the natural vaccines. A number of experts believe that Omicron can work as a natural vaccine, because it is similar to live attenuated vaccines in certain ways. Additionally, it was highlighted that the high rate of antibody generation in individuals cured of Omicron provide suggestive evidence in favor of those researchers who claimed Omicron acts as natural vaccine. Some disagreements also noted, as it also has tremendous health effects and high infection rate, as similar to the prior variants. This review summarizes the contradictory scenario among the scientists about Omicron variant.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9033632PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102332DOI Listing

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