Epidemiologist Vygonaylov: the omicron strain can bypass the antibodies of those who have recovered from COVID-19 … This was stated by the epidemiologist, candidate of medical sciences Alexander Vygonaylov, his words are quoted by URA.RU.
This ability of the strain is given by a large number of mutations in the Spike-protein (S-protein), the specialist explained. “Omicron has 32 mutations in the S-protein and can escape antibodies in a new disease. According to official data, 2-3 percent of those who recovered with the delta strain re-infected, with the South African mutation, the percentage may be slightly higher, “the expert said.
He added that the most reliable protection against the new strain is a high titer of antibodies, which must be maintained by repeated vaccination every six months.
Earlier, a virologist, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyotr Chumakov, associated mutations of the omicron strain with AIDS. He stated that the new variant of the coronavirus has multiple mutations due to the large number of people with immunodeficiency who live in the area of its origin.
A new strain of coronavirus, code B.1.1.529, was identified in South Africa on November 11 , isolated cases were also recorded in European countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized this option as dangerous and warned that the risk of infection with a new strain in survivors of COVID-19 may be higher.