Expert Voznesensky: the omicron strain will stop the good faith implementation of preventive measures at any level. Sergei Voznesensky, an expert, associate professor of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the RUDN University, told the Zvezda TV channel about this strategy of struggle.
In his opinion, the currently existing vaccines are effective against a new type of coronavirus. Voznesensky suggested that other means may not be needed in the fight against the omicron strain.
The virologist noted that colleagues from South Africa have not yet talked about cases of severe manifestations of coronavirus after the omicron strain was discovered.
Earlier, a virologist, professor of the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Alexander Butenko, said that the new omicron coronavirus strain could contribute to the formation of herd immunity in Russia. He clarified that the emergence of new strains of coronavirus can lead to positive effects, for example, a decrease in virulence.
According to Butenko, if the weak pathogenicity of the omicron strain is confirmed, then it can be used to form collective immunity. However, this assumption must be substantiated by molecular genetic studies, observations and time.