Omicron: Existing COVID vaccines less effective against new variant, says ICMR's Dr Panda

Dr Samiran Panda, He, Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases Division, ICMR, on November 27, noted that current scientific evidence reveals new COVID-19 variant Omicron contains many more mutations and that existing vaccines may be less effective. media agency ANI in a tweet quoted Dr Panda as saying, "Time could tell but re are different kinds of vaccines. Some are directed towards spike protein of virus which gets attached to receptor. So, if changes happened re, vaccines might not be effective." 

World Health Organisation has designated variation Omicron as a "variant of concern," meaning it has genetic alterations that are known to affect transmissibility, illness severity, or ability to resist immunisations and treatments. Certainly, Omicron's transmissibility appears to be exceedingly high, and re are concerns about wher new variation would affect vaccine effectiveness. Meanwhile, in South Africa, variant B.1.1.529 contained far more mutations than prevalent Delta variant, according to genomic sequencing of infections. More concerning, some of mutations occur in spike protein's antibody-targeted region.

'It's a matter of time' 

According to ANI's subsequent tweet, Dr Panda stated that, because mRNA vaccinations are designed to target spike protein & receptor interaction, mRNA vaccines must be modified to account for change that has alrey been detected. However, not all immunisations are same; Covishield-Covaxin produces protection by presenting a distinct antigen to our system, he ded. On being asked if existing vaccines would be effective against  new variant, he was quoted by media agency saying, "It's a matter of time but only time would tell along with follow up observations in terms of what's happening, infection as well as vaccines & kind of immunity y produce."

WHO warns South-East Asian regions to take special measures

World Health Organisation has issued a warning to South-East Asia Region to take special steps to prevent virus from spreing. According to Dr Poonam Khetarpal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, countries must improve ir infrastructure in coming months to deal with any unexpected circumstances. She also insisted on keeping a close eye on international travel, particularly that coming from contaminated areas.

WHO issued a statement on Saturday urging nations in South-East Asia region to increase surveillance and reinforce public health and social measures, as well as increase vaccine coverage. World Health Organisation also dispatched a team of experts to work with scientists to expedite necessary steps to stop spre of infection.

(With inputs from ANI)

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