The World Health Organization (WHO) has accepted the research results that in fully vaccinated people immunity have increased against the delta variant from Omicron infection. WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan recently posted a tweet that reads, “Omicron infection after vaccination increases immunity against Delta also. But in unvaccinated people, it doesn’t generate immunity against other variants. So, infection is not a substitute for vaccination, as some are suggesting!”
What research data show?
Research on Omicron and immunity was done during the peak in South Africa. Scientists from the Health Research Institute in South Africa did research related to Omicron infection and immunity. In November and December last year, when the Omicron wave was at its peak, samples of 23 patients infected with this variant were taken. Out of 23 patients, 14 needed hospitalization and only one had to be given oxygen support. Of these 23 patients, 10 were already vaccinated, but they were infected with Omicron.
Lead scientist Alex Siegel said after research that people affected by Delta can get Omicron infection, but patients after Omicron infection cannot get affected by Delta variant. However, this is possible only if the patient is fully vaccinated.
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Another important conclusion of this research has come to the fore. Scientists say that although the rate of Omicron infection is very high, the risk of hospitalization and death from it is very low. The study suggests that Omicron is much milder than previous variants of the corona and does not make people seriously ill.
After its wave, some changes can be seen in the pattern of this pandemic. Currently, the Omicron has replaced the Delta with the dominant variant in many countries. Eventually, this virus will be entered into the endemic stage.
Omicron is still a threat to unvaccinated:
People who do not get the vaccine can get a serious infection from Omicron. This increases their chances of getting hospitalized. Similarly, people are also at risk of death from the new variant. Besides, they are unable to develop immunity against Delta even after getting infected with Omicron. It is very important to get the vaccine if you want to stay away from the clutch of the corona.
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