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What are the Covid variants and will vaccines still work? What are the Covid variants and will vaccines still work?
(12 days later)
A new type of coronavirus has been found that scientists say is of "great concern".A new type of coronavirus has been found that scientists say is of "great concern".
The Omicron variant worries experts because it is very different to the types of Covid current vaccines are designed to fight.The Omicron variant worries experts because it is very different to the types of Covid current vaccines are designed to fight.
What is this new variant?What is this new variant?
A variant is a slightly altered - or mutated - version of a virus. There are thousands of Covid variants around the world which is to be expected because viruses mutate all the time.A variant is a slightly altered - or mutated - version of a virus. There are thousands of Covid variants around the world which is to be expected because viruses mutate all the time.
Omicron is strikingly different from many other types due to the long list of genetic mutations it has undergone.Omicron is strikingly different from many other types due to the long list of genetic mutations it has undergone.
In particular, there are dozens of changes to the part of the virus targeted by the vaccine - the spike protein.In particular, there are dozens of changes to the part of the virus targeted by the vaccine - the spike protein.
What do we know about this new variant?What do we know about this new variant?
Will vaccines still work?Will vaccines still work?
Early signs are that current vaccines might not work quite as well against Omicron.Early signs are that current vaccines might not work quite as well against Omicron.
Scientists in South Africa have detected a surge in the number of people catching Covid multiple times.Scientists in South Africa have detected a surge in the number of people catching Covid multiple times.
This suggests the variant might be better at sidestepping some of the protection offered by vaccines, or past infection.This suggests the variant might be better at sidestepping some of the protection offered by vaccines, or past infection.
Preliminary lab studies show two doses of Covid vaccine may not be enough. An answer could be giving people extra doses to boost their immunity, like the UK is doing now.Preliminary lab studies show two doses of Covid vaccine may not be enough. An answer could be giving people extra doses to boost their immunity, like the UK is doing now.
UK research suggests boosters should provide good protection against severe illness.
Data from around the world suggests Omicron may be more infectious and spreads very easily, but there is no evidence yet that it causes more serious illness.Data from around the world suggests Omicron may be more infectious and spreads very easily, but there is no evidence yet that it causes more serious illness.
Some have said it might even be milder, although it is too soon to know for sure.Some have said it might even be milder, although it is too soon to know for sure.
As with other Covid variants, the risk remains highest for people who are elderly or have significant underlying health conditions.As with other Covid variants, the risk remains highest for people who are elderly or have significant underlying health conditions.
But even so, if a variant is more infectious it will lead to more deaths in an unvaccinated population.But even so, if a variant is more infectious it will lead to more deaths in an unvaccinated population.
How is the UK preparing for Omicron?How is the UK preparing for Omicron?
Although current vaccines may not be a perfect fit for Omicron they are still the best line of defence against Covid.Although current vaccines may not be a perfect fit for Omicron they are still the best line of defence against Covid.
They have cut the risk of severe illness against the other major Covid variants, including Delta, Alpha, Beta and Gamma.They have cut the risk of severe illness against the other major Covid variants, including Delta, Alpha, Beta and Gamma.
Doctors say it is vital people get the recommended number of doses to gain maximum protection against existing and emerging variants.Doctors say it is vital people get the recommended number of doses to gain maximum protection against existing and emerging variants.
The government is ramping up its vaccination programme in response to Omicron, and hopes to offer every adult in the UK a booster jab by the end of January.The government is ramping up its vaccination programme in response to Omicron, and hopes to offer every adult in the UK a booster jab by the end of January.
Although Covid infections have been rising, the number of hospitalisations and deaths has remained well below the levels seen in earlier waves. Experts say this is because of the success of the vaccine programme.Although Covid infections have been rising, the number of hospitalisations and deaths has remained well below the levels seen in earlier waves. Experts say this is because of the success of the vaccine programme.
When can I get my booster and how do I book it?When can I get my booster and how do I book it?
How many people have been vaccinated so far?How many people have been vaccinated so far?
How quickly could we get new vaccines against variants?How quickly could we get new vaccines against variants?
Updated versions of vaccines against Covid variants are already being designed and tested.Updated versions of vaccines against Covid variants are already being designed and tested.
Manufacturers could scale up production quickly too and regulators have already discussed how to fast track the approval process.Manufacturers could scale up production quickly too and regulators have already discussed how to fast track the approval process.
Moderna has already said it hopes to have an Omicron booster ready by March.Moderna has already said it hopes to have an Omicron booster ready by March.
What about the other variants?What about the other variants?
The most potentially dangerous ones are called variants of concern and, along with Omicron, include:The most potentially dangerous ones are called variants of concern and, along with Omicron, include:
Delta (B.1.617.2), first identified in India and now the most common type circulating in the UKDelta (B.1.617.2), first identified in India and now the most common type circulating in the UK
Alpha (B.1.1.7), first identified in the UK but which spread to more than 50 countriesAlpha (B.1.1.7), first identified in the UK but which spread to more than 50 countries
Beta (B.1.351), first identified in South Africa but which has been detected in at least 20 other countries, including the UKBeta (B.1.351), first identified in South Africa but which has been detected in at least 20 other countries, including the UK
Gamma (P.1), first identified in Brazil but which has spread to more than 10 other countries, including the UKGamma (P.1), first identified in Brazil but which has spread to more than 10 other countries, including the UK
UK officials are also keeping an eye on a recent descendent of the Delta variant, called AY.4.2 or "Delta plus".UK officials are also keeping an eye on a recent descendent of the Delta variant, called AY.4.2 or "Delta plus".
Why do variants occur?Why do variants occur?
Viruses make carbon copies of themselves to reproduce but they aren't perfect at it. Errors can creep in that change the genetic blueprint, resulting in a new version of the virus - in other words, a variant.Viruses make carbon copies of themselves to reproduce but they aren't perfect at it. Errors can creep in that change the genetic blueprint, resulting in a new version of the virus - in other words, a variant.
If this gives the virus a survival advantage, the new version will thrive.If this gives the virus a survival advantage, the new version will thrive.
The more chances coronavirus has to make copies of itself in us - the host - the more opportunities there are for mutations to occur.The more chances coronavirus has to make copies of itself in us - the host - the more opportunities there are for mutations to occur.
That's why keeping infections down is important. Vaccines help by cutting transmission as well as protecting against serious Covid illness.That's why keeping infections down is important. Vaccines help by cutting transmission as well as protecting against serious Covid illness.
Experts say it is possible that the new highly altered variant B.1.1.529 may have originated in a patient whose immune system was unable to get rid of a Covid infection quickly, giving the virus more time to morph.Experts say it is possible that the new highly altered variant B.1.1.529 may have originated in a patient whose immune system was unable to get rid of a Covid infection quickly, giving the virus more time to morph.