Omicron
A recent study shows that Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 appear to escape antibodies. It is seen as active in vaccinated and non-vaccinated patients according to Harvard medical school’s study.
However, it is also likely that those who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 will be immune to several diseases. Vaccine producers are also working on upgrading vaccines that will provide even boosted immunity to fight against variants.
BA.4 and BA.5 are rapidly spreading variants that caused cases from 29% to 35% of infection cases in the united states in the last week. It is estimated that these variants may spread to the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Dan Barouch, director of the Center for Virology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston said “Our data suggest that these new Omicron subvariants will likely be able to lead to surges of infections in populations with high levels of vaccine immunity as well as natural BA.1 and BA.2 immunity. However, it is likely that vaccine immunity will still provide considerable protection against severe disease with BA.4 and BA.5.”
