Omicron Fuels Reinfection 3 Times More Than Delta Variant: WHO Chief Scientist

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, WHO Chief Scientist, revealed on Monday that, compared to the delta form of Covid-19, reinfections in the omicron variant are three times more common 90 days after the virus first strikes.

Dr Swaminathan told CNBC-TV18 that while data on the virulence and transmissibility of variations would take time to collect, scientists now know that omicron is the dominant strain in South Africa.

“Reinfections 90 days after infection are three times more common in omicron compared to delta. (These are) early days to decipher the clinical features of omicron infection. There is a lag between the rise in cases and the rise in hospitalisation. We must wait for two to three weeks to study hospitalisation rates to know how severe this disease is,” she said, adding: “Cases in South Africa are rising fast with omicron variant. Reports show that more children are getting infected by this strain in that country. South Africa is also testing more.”

Dr. Swaminathan noted that few vaccines are now available for children and that just a few countries have begun vaccinations for children, warning of a potential increase in cases as a result.

“There are few vaccines for children available, and only a few countries vaccinate youngsters.” When cases increase, children and those who have not been vaccinated may get more infected. “We’re still waiting for data to determine the impact of the omicron variation on children,” she said.

“We need to take a comprehensive and science-based approach on vaccination. It is the same virus we are dealing with and hence measures to protect it will be the same. If we need a variant vaccine, it will depend on how much ‘immune escape’ the variant has,” she added.

All countries, she said, must study the vaccine data by age and region to assess those who have been missed and a “priority should be to vaccinate all those aged above 18 years to reduce transmission”.

According to her, big data from the United States has demonstrated that immunizations continue to provide strong protection against death. “Vaccine coverage is unequal over the world. Because the WHO’s Covax facility has a substantial advance purchase order for Covishield, the WHO’s Covax facility’s Covishield supplies will be increased now. Covovax has a contract with its covax plant.”