COVID-19 'Omicron' Strain: First Death, Spread and Vaccine Effectiveness

Two doses of the vaccine are not enough to protect against the virus.

In the UK, at least one patient has died after being infected with the new Omicron coronavirus strain. We bring you the latest news about this dangerous variant. 

First Death

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reported the first death from Omicron: "Unfortunately, Omicron is causing hospitalizations and, sadly, it has been confirmed that at least one patient with Omicron has died." He did not provide details about the deceased. 

Boris Johnson
UK Prime Minister

I think we must stop thinking that this is some kind of mild version of the virus, and simply acknowledge the speed at which it is spreading through the population. Therefore, the best thing we can do is get booster doses. 

Previously, no deaths from Omicron had been known in the world. The new strain was discovered in late November by scientists in South Africa. The strain has a large number of mutations and is able to evade vaccine immunity. 

According to preliminary studies, patients with Omicron tolerate the disease more easily, and in some cases it has been asymptomatic. The WHO has included this variant among those of concern. 

According to the WHO, Omicron has been detected in more than 60 countries around the world. 

Two doses of the vaccine are not enough for protection

British scientists have found that two-dose vaccine regimens against the coronavirus do not produce a sufficient number of antibodies against the Omicron strain, which increases the likelihood of infections among those who have previously recovered or been vaccinated. 

Researchers at the University of Oxford published the results of a study with analyzed blood samples from participants vaccinated with doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford (AZN.L) or Pfizer-BioNTech (PFE.N) vaccines.

It is noted that there is still no evidence that low levels of antibodies against Omicron, which fight infection, may lead to a greater risk of severe illness, hospitalization or death among those who have received two doses of approved vaccines. 

Matthew Snape
Professor at Oxford

These data are important, but this is only one side of the picture. They only consider neutralizing antibodies after the second dose, but do not tell us about cellular immunity, and this will also be tested. 

Approaching a Large-Scale Epidemic Wave

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned citizens in his address of an approaching "tidal wave" of the coronavirus epidemic due to the spread of the Omicron strain in the country. 

"I am afraid that we are now entering a state of emergency in our fight against the new Omicron variant. There is no doubt that a "tidal wave" of the epidemic is approaching," the prime minister said. 

Prior to this, health authorities declared the maximum "fourth level" risk of virus spread. The UK last exited the fourth level in May. 

Johnson outlined the government's plans in response to the threat, which focus primarily on vaccination with booster doses. 

Boris Johnson
UK Prime Minister

It is already clear that two doses of the vaccine do not provide a sufficient level of protection. But our scientists are convinced that a third dose can again strengthen protection. 

According to him, people who were vaccinated long ago no longer have sufficient immunity, so there are again risks of high hospitalization and death rates. 

The government wants to offer a booster dose to all adults in Britain who are more than three months past their second dose. People over 30 can already sign up for a vaccination, and the option will be opened for younger people in the near future. In addition, plans are underway to deploy numerous additional vaccination points in public places and mobile teams. 

Other non-urgent procedures in the healthcare system may be postponed until the new year to free up medical staff for mass vaccination.