Reading time is 10 mins
.
.
MOST PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY HAVE A COLD OR FLU ARE ON OMICRON…’ THE 7 QUESTIONS 7 ANSWERS
The Omicron variant has spread so rapidly since its release that even scientists are puzzled by this speed. As new information about Omicron continues to arrive every day, work is in full swing to understand and protect against this new variant on the one hand. Has the protection of vaccines fallen against Omicron? Are Covid sufferers protected from Omicron? What is the situation in our country? Are children getting infected more and more? Prof. We asked the experts about everything that is curious about Omicron, which describes as “the most contagious virus that humanity has ever encountered”
Omicron, identified on November 24 2021, in South Africa, spread around the world in a very short time and began to become dominant.
The speed of research in the country has increased significantly since the first death from the Omicron variant was announced in the UK. A recent study conducted by Imperial College London University Hospital provides important information about Omicron.
.
THE REMINDER MAINTAINS THE DOSE BY 85 PERCENT
According to data obtained by British scientists, the Omicron variant also reduces the effect of vaccines. Studies say that the third dose of the vaccine prevents the disease from being severe by 85 percent. This rate is slightly less than the protection rate that the vaccine provides over other variants.
As a matter of fact, the protection rate of the Pfizer/Biontech reminder vaccine against the Delta variant is 97 percent, while it is estimated that this will remain between 80 and 85.9 percent against Omicron.
But still, scientists note that the preventive effect of the reminder dose on people’s hospitalization is significant, although the rate is decreasing.
.
PROTECTION AGAINST COVID-19
On the other hand, another study conducted on the Omicron variant at Imperial College London says that the risk of re-contracting the disease is 5.4 times higher in the Omicron variant than in the Delta.
The study says that having had Covid-19 can provide 19 percent protection against Omicron, and having had two doses of the vaccine can provide 20 percent protection.
All these data show us how seriously we should actually take the Omicron variant. Although studies conducted so far on this variant have shown that patients have survived the ‘milder’, experts say that the effect of the vaccine on this ‘milder’ term is very large.
.
OMICRON IN TURKEY
The Omicron variant, which has spread rapidly all over the world, has also begun to increase its number in our country. “The Omicron variant began to spread in our country after Europe,” Health Minister in Turkey said on his social media account the previous day. More than 10% of new cases in our crowded provinces are caused by Omicron. The new situation has made the reminder dose even more important. Those who have passed 3 months on the vaccination calendar should strengthen the effectiveness of the vaccine,” he said.
All the findings about Omicron, vaccine questions, the situation in our country and the ways to be monitored by Jackson Laboratory Institute Principal Investigator Prof. Doctor is an Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist, with Prof. Dr who told us what it’s all about…
.
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OMICRON AND DELTA FOR THE DECOVACCINATED
1- In the study, it is stated that having had Covid-19 can provide 19 percent protection against Omicron, and having had two doses of the vaccine can provide 20 percent protection. Does it mean nothing to get two doses of the vaccine with the rate of antibodies that are formed when you are infected with the virus anymore?
It is now clear that the effect of antibodies against Omicron is much reduced. Many studies show this. In this regard, we can say that the risk of infection is also very high in people who have had two doses of the vaccine. The protection rate of two doses of the vaccine is about 20-30 percent. But this does not mean that the vaccines have no effect or that they have completely lost their effect.
Because even if the virus enters your body and causes symptoms, the immune defense developed by the vaccine can somehow control it. And besides, the body produces much more new antibodies. At the same time, other defense mechanisms of immunity are able to stop the virus. For this reason, those who are infected with two doses of the vaccine generally have a very mild disease. Perhaps that is why there are observations that Omicron passes lighter. I don’t think Omicron is much different from Delta for the unvaccinated. But although the risk of infection of vaccinated people is very high, it is certain that they have survived slightly.
Studies have shown that there are significant changes in the spike protein of the virus in this variant. The main reason for the rapid spread of the virus in those who have had the disease or are immune to the vaccine is that the virus can escape from these formed antibodies due to the change. But these rates are the rates of not contracting the disease. It seems that vaccines can still provide protection against hospitalization or severe illness well above these rates. So do not panic, but continue to take precautions.
.
NEW VACCINE MAY BE NEEDED IF OMICRON MUTATES
2- It is said that the protection rates of vaccines are falling against the Omicron variant. Is a special stronger vaccine against Omicron needed?
The reminder vaccine may be slightly inferior in protection against Omicron. After a while, this effect will decelerate somewhat. However, let’s emphasize that these rates are the rate of protection from infection by a virus. A third dose will reduce the incidence of severe illness and death by a very, very high rate.
On the other hand, is a new vaccine necessary? If Omicron mutates even more, a new vaccine may be required. But there is also a situation where the development of this new vaccine will take at least a few months. There are problems such as insufficient production. Already in these few months, Omicron will have spread to most of the world. In this regard, I don’t think that the new vaccine will catch up with Omicron, but if this variant develops itself a little more and becomes more dangerous, or if a new variant comes out, then a new vaccine may be required.
.
80 PER CENT IS NO LONGER ENOUGH FOR SOCIAL IMMUNITY
The good news is that the reminder with the third doses has increased the protection over 80 percent again. This suggests that a new vaccine may not be needed at the moment. But this time our problem means that the number of people who need to be vaccinated in the community is getting higher. That is, 80 percent is no longer enough for social immunity. We need to achieve higher rates and complement this with 3 vaccines. Given the rapid spread of the new variant and the fact that 2 doses are not enough, it makes sense to reduce the dose of 3 reminders to three months. We need to do this immediately, especially in risk groups. Inactive vaccines should be updated because their protection rates are now lower than mRNA vaccines. The problem of hospitalization and severe illness is greater in those who have an inactive vaccine.
.
THE MOST CONTAGIOUS VIRUS HUMANITY HAS EVER ENCOUNTERED
3- The risk of re-contracting the disease is estimated to be 5.4 times higher in the Omicron variant than in the Delta.
Why is Omicron so much more contagious than Delta?
There are two reasons why the risk of getting caught is much higher than in Delta. First, people who have been vaccinated with Omicron, that is, those who have at least two doses, or those who have previously had Covid, can also easily become infected. Those with three doses are largely protected at the moment. The second reason is that Omicron has a lot of mutations in this spike protein on its surface, which we call spike protein, which can bind much better to the key protein receptor. In the conducted trials, it was found that Omicron infects cells 70 times more often than Delta. In this regard, it is much, much easier to spread.
For Omicron, we can say that it is perhaps the most contagious virus that humanity has ever encountered. But the good news is that there is no data that it causes more severe illness than Delta. The reason why it is slightly bypassed is that it infects people who have been vaccinated or have previously had Covid. And for the unvaccinated, we probably won’t see a huge difference in hospitalizations or deaths.
.
HE TOOK OVER THE WORLD BY RULING OUT DELTA
4- Omicron accounts for almost 70 percent of cases outside of Europe and currently also in the United States. The number of cases is breaking records. Can the numbers increase in our country as well? What kind of measures do I need to take?
As mentioned above, it is not at all wrong to call this variant one of the most contagious viruses in human history. It decisively ranks among the top three. Perhaps I will say that there is a measles virus in the first place, but it is observed that Omicron also passes measles. It’s really spreading at an incredible rate. Currently, in many countries, 90 percent of cases or even close to 100 percent of some cases are caused by Omicron. For Omicron, we can say that he took over the world by ruling out Delta.
I also think that the majority of cases in Turkey are Omicron as of this week. Case records are being broken almost everywhere in the world. On December 23, about 1 million official cases were detected in the corona world war, setting the highest record since the beginning of the pandemic. This will gradually increase by a certain amount more.
.
OMICRON VIRUS STAYS IN THE AIR FOR A CERTAIN TIME
It is very important to use masks indoors as a precaution. Even double masks or masks that we call N95 should be used. Of course, the most important method of prevention is vaccination. It is possible to stop the virus with both a vaccine and a mask. On the other hand, let me share that this virus also stays in the air for a certain period of time. In other words, even if there is no one in closed areas at that time, someone who has been there before and has been infected with Omicron may have contaminated the area and infected you with the virus. Let me explain this with an example. For example, you got into the elevator and you’re the only one. If an Omicron-infected person got on the elevator before you and there is no mask, he will leave a virus inside the elevator and infect you. In this regard, it is necessary to bring these measures to the highest level. Unfortunately, this winter will be very difficult.
.
IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN, OUR HEALTH SYSTEM MAY BE BLOCKED
The variant is spreading very quickly and will soon become the dominant variant in the world. We will also see this spread in our country. This situation poses a great risk to us. If we do not take adequate measures, after a while our health system may go towards being blocked, as it was last year. As a precaution, there should be intensive work to increase the vaccination rate first and strict inspections should be carried out in closed / crowded environments.
.
MORE DANGEROUS IN CHILDREN THAN OMICRON DELTA
5- In the United States, 6 million children aged 5-11 years were vaccinated against Covid. Is Omicron targeting children directly?
The number of 6 million was the figure a few weeks ago, and now, most likely, there has been an even higher rate of vaccination. Data are coming in that Omicron is infecting children more and more. The infection rate of children has started to be much higher than Delta. But almost all of them are mild in those who have been vaccinated. As for the unvaccinated, hospitalizations have begun. We can definitely say that omicron in children is more dangerous than delta.
Vaccination has become much more important in this age group now. The vaccine needs to be turned on as soon as possible for this age group, and we don’t have much time left. The vaccine for this age group is already being made at the rate of one third of the dose. So far, there have been no serious side effects in America.
6- Are there any other preliminary findings about Omicron that have been shared so far?
When Omicron infects people who have been vaccinated or have immunity, it can give symptoms more like an itching sensation in the throat, maybe a little sore throat, some pain in the upper parts of the back, a dry cough in the back. The symptoms of Omicron are similar to the symptoms of a cold. At the moment, we can assume that most of those who think they have a cold or flu are infected with Omicron. I recommend that these people either quarantine themselves or get tested.
7- While the third dose of vaccines was previously given of 6 months, it has now been reduced to 3 months. Can you tell me the reasons why the reminder dose is given after 3 months, not 6, and how the vaccine works against Omicron?
In fact, do not think that there is a very big difference between 3 months and 6 months. But it is important to put a difference of at least 3 months between the two doses to be a reminder dose after. Previously, reminder doses were made 6 months after two vaccinations, now they have been reduced to 3 months. There is a very important reason why booster vaccines are withdrawn for 3 months; two doses of the vaccine are not enough for Omicron.
In this regard, it is very important and necessary to make third doses, especially in risk groups and the elderly. I don’t think there will be a very big difference in immunity between 6 months later and 3 months later. The main thing here is to provide protection against Omicron very quickly.
We are in a pandemic period and we have to prevent the spread. If the disease was an endemic disease, maybe we could have a reason to wait 6 months. We have lost this chance with the new variant and our priority has again shifted to controlling the epidemic. Therefore, the third dose, especially in the risk group, should be 3. it will be the right approach to do it after the month.
.
.
.
.
Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.