Last week a new variant of the corona virus emerged. The omikron variant seems even more contagious than other variants, causing several countries to immediately introduce travel restrictions for countries where the new variant has been observed. However, there are still many questions about the omikron variant. According to Marjolein van Egmond, professor of Immunology, it will take even more time before more is known.
Fewer antibodies
According to van Egmond, we have actually experienced this before with the delta variant. To find out how well the immune system works on this new variant, tests are being done in laboratories where blood from vaccinated people is brought into contact with the virus. ‘As with the delta variant, it is expected that fewer antibodies will neutralize the virus.’ The professor does add the nuance that, despite the fact that the effectiveness of vaccines is decreasing, the delta variant was also 90% effective against serious illness.
New variant, different features
Several doctors from South Africa report that the new variant is more contagious, but at the same time milder. According to van Egmond, more research needs to be done before this is really certain, but if the new variant is milder, that’s good news. ‘Mutations happen randomly and each mutant has its own characteristics. It can also mean that you get sick less. That is favorable then.’
Aware
Marino van Zelst, infection-disease modeler at Wageningen University Research, has a comment about this. ‘Even if a virus is slightly milder, it can still have more impact.’ Van Zelst emphasizes that not much is known about the new variant at the moment. According to the disease modeler, it is important that countries are on the alert now. ‘Flying bans do not necessarily prevent a virus from entering a country, but it is good that we are now on the alert.’
Adjusting Vaccines
This new variant does not mean that immunity that has been built up through vaccination or a previous infection with another variant is no longer effective, says Van Egmond. ‘There’s just an overlap. If some changes occur in the virus, you are still protected.’ If these changes become too big, the vaccines can also be adapted. According to the professor, the manufacturers have indicated that such an adjustment should be possible within three months.
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