COVID’s New Omicron Sub-Variants Can Dodge Immunity In Unvaccinated, May Trigger Wave: Study

Johannesburg: Two new subliners of the Omicron coronavirus variant could better dodge antibodies from previous infections to launch a new wave, South African scientists have discovered, news agency Reuters reported. According to the report, newer sub-variants of Omicron, however, are much less capable of thriving in the blood of people vaccinated against Covid-19.Also read – Karnataka imposes sanctions, issues new Covid test guidelines for foreigners

Scientists from multiple organizations examining Omicron’s BA.4 and BA.5 sublinues – which the World Health Organization added to its monitoring list last month – took blood samples from 39 participants previously infected by Omicron when they first appeared late. Last year Of these, fifteen were vaccinated – with eight Pfizer shots; Seven with Johnson & Johnson – while the other 24 were not. Also read – The last 24 hours in Delhi saw a slight decline in the number of Kovid-19 cases, with active cases rising to 5,716.

“The vaccinated group showed an almost 5-fold higher neutrality capability … and should be better protected,” Reuters reported, citing the study, whose pre-print was published over the weekend. Also read – People vaccinated with Sputnik V are given first dose as booster, NTAGI recommends

In non-vaccine samples, the researchers found that exposure to BA.4 and BA.5 reduced antibody production by almost eight times compared to the original BA.1 omicron lineage. There was a threefold reduction in the blood of vaccinated people.

South Africa may enter the fifth covid wave sooner than expected, officials and scientists said Friday, attributing a steady increase in infections driven by BA.4 and BA.5 omicron sub variants. Only 30% of South Africa’s 60 million people have been fully vaccinated.

“Neutrality can lead to a new wave of infections in BA.4 and BA.5, depending on the escape,” the study said.