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What are the Covid variants and will vaccines still work? What are the Covid variants and do vaccines still work?
(3 months later)
A new type of coronavirus has been found that scientists say is of "great concern". The Omicron variant has become the dominant type of coronavirus circulating in many countries, overtaking previous variants, such as Delta.
The Omicron variant worries experts because it is very different to the types of Covid current vaccines are designed to fight. It can be contagious, even if you have been vaccinated. But current vaccines are still providing good protection against severe illness.
What is this new variant? What is Omicron?
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 some other Covid variants, and the one that started the pandemic, because of 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? This could make it better at sidestepping some of the protection offered by vaccines, or past infections with Covid. Omicron does appear to be highly spreadable, even in those who have been fully jabbed.
Will vaccines still work? Two-thirds with Omicron say they have had Covid before
Early signs are that current vaccines might not work quite as well against Omicron. There are several types or sublineages of Omicron - including BA.1.1.529 and BA.2 - that have slightly different mutations from each other.
Data from around the world suggests Omicron may be more infectious and spreads very easily. The World Health Organization says mounting evidence suggests BA.2 is proving to be a bit more transmissible than the others.
This suggests the variant might be better at sidestepping some of the protection offered by vaccines, or past infection. Is it worse than other variants?
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. The evidence shows Omicron infections tend to be milder, since fewer people are getting sick enough with it to need hospital treatment compared to other variants.
UK research suggests boosters should provide good protection against severe illness. That is largely down to the amount of protection or immunity that people have built against Covid from past infections and vaccination, rather than changes to the virus itself.
Experts say Omicron might be milder, since fewer people are getting sick enough with it to need hospital treatment compared to other variants.
Even so, if it is more infectious it could lead to more deaths in an unvaccinated population.Even so, if it is more infectious it could lead to more deaths in an unvaccinated population.
As with other Covid variants, the risk remains highest for people who are elderly or have significant underlying health conditions. Are current vaccines good enough?
How is the UK preparing for Omicron? Preliminary lab studies found two doses of Covid vaccine may not be enough, which is why some countries, including the UK, are giving people extra doses to boost their immunity.
Although current vaccines may not be a perfect fit for Omicron they are still the best line of defence against Covid. UK research suggests boosters should provide good protection against severe illness.
As with other Covid variants, the risk remains highest for people who are elderly or who have significant underlying health conditions.
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. Extra Covid booster in spring for over-75s and high risk
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?
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, although lab tests in animals suggest they may offer little advantage over standard shots.
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.
Delta (B.1.617.2), first identified in India and now the most common type circulating in the UK UK officials have been keeping an eye on a recent descendant of the Delta variant, called AY.4.2 or "Delta plus", as well as "Domicron" or "Deltacron" Covid infections that combine Delta and Omicron.
Alpha (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 UK
Gamma (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".
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 creep in that change the genetic blueprint, resulting in a new version of the virus.
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.