‘Pharma cos must adapt existing vaccines as fast as possible’

Updated On: 28 November, 2021 07:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar Menon

While its ability to paralyse T-cells, resist antibodies and evade the immune system makes Omicron a strain to reckon with, experts say more data is needed to know whether we will need a whole new vaccine to fight latest SARS CoV2 variant

Passengers wearing face shields and face masks are seen at Hong Kong International Airport. The Omicron variant has been identified in the country. Pic/Getty Images

The new Covid-19 variant, B.1.1.529 NU, has now officially been renamed Omicron (the 15th letter of Greek alphabet) by the WHO late Friday night. It’s the first new ‘variant of concern’ since Delta, which means the world needs to be on alert and healthcare service providers vigilant, as possible risk of reinfection is higher, according to health experts.

Expressing deep concern over the emergence of the new variant, Dr Wiqar Shaikh, Professor of Medicine at Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, said that the new variant was first isolated through genome sequencing in Botswana, Africa, on November 11 this year and has now spread to other countries, including South Africa, Israel, Belgium and Hong Kong. Belgium has, in fact, become the first European country to be affected by the new variant. Several dozen cases have been reported so far. The potential of the variant, he added, has been backed by the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) which states that because of the widespread mutations, Omicron could be the most infectious and transmissible variant of Covid-19, hinting that vaccines could be less effective in fighting it.

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