Vaccine still very much pivotal despite Omicron threats: Dr. Yong

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - A Thai virology expert says vaccination is still essential in the fight against the Covid pandemic, adding that the new Omicron variant seems to be causing less severe symptoms among both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations.

 

Virology expert Dr. Yong Poovorawan, head of the Center for Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, has expressed his view on the new Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and what this new variant of concern would mean for the next stage of the pandemic.

 

In a Facebook post, Dr. Young shared information regarding this variant of concern, saying the new strain would be as contagious as the Delta variant, while noting that patients seem to exhibit milder symptoms, both in the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. However, more data is needed to compare the rate of hospitalizations and deaths, as well as treatment outcomes.

 

Dr. Yong continued to say the detection of this virus using the molecular RT-PCR method continues to perform well, however, test manufacturers may need to consider implementing test procedures that focus on other parts rather than the N gene.

 

He said current vaccines and treatments available might need to be adapted to the Omicron variant, however, more studies are still needed. He also stressed that vaccinations are still necessary at this stage, despite the possibility that available vaccines might be less effective against this variant.

 

Dr. Yong also called for stringent travel restrictions and strict compliance with preventative measures laid out by health authorities, as well as encouraging genomic sequencing of more specimens, as a form of disease surveillance.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-11-29

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[RichardColeman]

7 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A Thai virology expert says vaccination is still essential in the fight against the Covid pandemic, adding that the new Omicron variant seems to be causing less severe symptoms among both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations.

So it may very well turn out that this variant takes over and has far less severe symptoms and fatalities and replaces the delta and other strains Tempting fate, but it might be this new variant is bonus and not a curse

[fuehrio]

Could be a game changer and hopefully returning back to "normal" flu.

[Jeffr2]

5 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

So it may very well turn out that this variant takes over and has far less severe symptoms and fatalities and replaces the delta and other strains Tempting fate, but it might be this new variant is bonus and not a curse

Or, it could very well be a much more severe variant.  As is evidenced by the skyrocketing cases in SA.  Along with a huge increase in hospitalizations. 

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/covid-19-hospitalizations-rising-south-africas-omicron-hot-spot-rcna6922

 

Covid-19 hospitalizations rising in South Africa’s omicron hot spot

Admissions have increased nearly fourfold since the beginning of November.

[RichardColeman]

6 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

Or, it could very well be a much more severe variant.  As is evidenced by the skyrocketing cases in SA.  Along with a huge increase in hospitalizations. 

yes, but their vaccination rate of 28% -as stated in your link - is probably the reason for those hospitalizations. UK for example is 80%up now. Even thailand is more vaccinated than SA. If the virus is less severe to the vaccinated then it should follow the people needing hospital is less, But the word is IF

[ozimoron]

Moderna CEO warns COVID-19 shots less effective against Omicron , markets tumble

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hong-kong-expands-travel-curbs-omicron-fears-australia-reports-5-cases-2021-11-30/

Edited November 30, 2021 by ozimoron

[connda]

Yong is back in the spotlight!