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Omicron Can Evade Protection Offered By Covid Vaccines, Antibody Therapies: Study

The study, published in the journal Nature on Thursday (December 23), also highlights the need for new vaccines and treatments that anticipate how the SARS-CoV-2 virus may soon evolve

Omicron Can Evade Protection Offered By Covid Vaccines, Antibody Therapies: Study
The study authors note that Omicron is now the most complete "escapee" from neutralisation that scientists have seen
Highlights
  • A feature of Omicron is the high number of changes in spike protein: Study
  • SARS-CoV-2 virus uses the spike protein to enter and infect the human cells
  • Even a third booster shot may not adequately protect against Omicron: Study

Washington: Omicron can evade the immune protection conferred by COVID-19 vaccines and natural infection, according to a peer-reviewed study which also suggests that the new variant of coronavirus is completely resistant to antibody therapies in use today. The study, published in the journal Nature on Thursday (December 23), also highlights the need for new vaccines and treatments that anticipate how the SARS-CoV-2 virus may soon evolve.

The researchers from Columbia University in the US and the University of Hong Kong noted that a striking feature of Omicron is the alarming number of changes in the variant’s spike protein that could pose a threat to the effectiveness of current vaccines and therapeutic antibodies.

Also Read: Too Soon To Decide If Omicron More Severe Than Delta, Be Cautious Ahead Of Festivals: World Health Organization

The study tested the ability of antibodies generated by vaccination to neutralise Omicron in laboratory tests that pitted antibodies against live viruses and against pseudoviruses constructed in the lab to mimic the variant.

The researchers found that the antibodies from people double-vaccinated with Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines were significantly less effective at neutralising Omicron compared to the original virus.

Antibodies from previously infected individuals were even less likely to neutralise Omicron, they said.

People who received a booster shot of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are likely to be better protected, although even their antibodies exhibited diminished neutralising activity against Omicron, the study shows.

“The new results suggest that previously infected individuals and fully vaccinated individuals are at risk for infection with the Omicron variant,” said David Ho, a professor at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Also Read: Double Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine Saves Lives From Omicron: Managing Director, LNJP Hospital

Even a third booster shot may not adequately protect against Omicron infection, but of course it is advisable to get one, as you will still benefit from some immunity, Mr Ho added.

The researchers noted that the findings are consistent with other neutralisation studies, as well as early epidemiological data from South Africa and the UK, which show efficacy of two doses of the vaccines against symptomatic disease is significantly reduced against Omicron.

The study also suggests that all of the monoclonal antibody therapies currently in use and most in development are much less effective against Omicron.

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses.

In neutralisation studies with monoclonal antibodies, only one — Brii198 approved in China — maintained notable activity against Omicron, according to the researchers.

Also Read: Two Jabs Not Enough Against Omicron, Shows UK Study. Should India Look At Boosters? Experts Explain

A minor form of Omicron is completely resistant to all antibodies in clinical use today, they said.

The study authors note that Omicron is now the most complete “escapee” from neutralisation that scientists have seen.

They also identified four new mutations in the spike protein of Omicron that help the virus evade antibodies, a finding that could inform the design of new approaches to combat the variant.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus uses the spike protein to enter and infect the human cells.

The researchers suggest that new vaccines and treatments need to be developed that can better anticipate how the virus is evolving.

It is not too far-fetched to think that SARS-CoV-2 is now only a mutation or two away from being completely resistant to current antibodies, either the monoclonal antibodies used as therapies or the antibodies generated by vaccination or infection with previous variants, Mr Ho added.

Also Read: Citizens Need To Shoulder The Responsibility, Follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour: Experts On Fighting Omicron

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ populationindigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (WaterSanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity,  that is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollutionwaste managementplastic banmanual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.

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