Dr Anthony Fauci in a press conference at the White House, on Tuesday, urged Americans to take the new Covid booster shot after a recent study by the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that it offers better protection against symptomatic infection of COVID-19. It is also the first real-world data on the new omicron vaccines.&nbsp;

The study shows that the updated “bivalent” Covid booster shots of Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech which target&nbsp;both the omicron strain and the original coronavirus, provide better protection against Covid when compared to the original shots. The booster shot targeting omicron strains, protects against symptomatic infection, depending on prior vaccinations, age, and how long ago the individual took their last vaccine, said the CDC study.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-approves-covid-19-omicron-vaccine-for-children-as-young-as-5-524893">United States approves COVID-19 Omicron vaccine for children as young as 5</a>

This vaccine was rolled out back in September in a bid to counter the virus as it continues to mutate. “You need to update the protection,” said Fauci. He added that the new booster shot “clearly induces” a better immune response against BA.4 and BA.5 variants.&nbsp;

Speaking at his last briefing before retirement next month Fauci said that his final message from the White House podium is to “get your updated Covid-19 shot as soon as you’re eligible to protect yourself, your family and your community.” US’ top health official has been the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 and became central to the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/will-vaccines-work-against-ba2-the-new-sub-variant-of-omicron-covid-19-454480">Will vaccines work against BA.2, the new sub-variant of Omicron? Covid-19</a>

The study analysed the data collected from over 360,000 people and said that it provides greater benefits to people aged 18-49 years when compared to the older age groups. When the new booster shot was given after eight months or more, the effectiveness compared with the original vaccines differed among age groups, 43 per cent (among people aged 65 years and older), 48 per cent (50-64-year-olds) and 56 per cent (among 18-49 year-olds).&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/the-worst-is-yet-to-come-study-finds-that-omicron-is-10-times-better-than-delta-at-evading-covid-vaccines-454212">'The worst is yet to come': Study finds that Omicron is 10 times better than Delta at evading Covid vaccines</a>

Notably, the effectiveness ranged between 28 to 31 per cent when the booster shots were given two to three months apart. “We think about it as the additional benefit or incremental benefit of getting one more dose, and in this case that one more dose is a bivalent,” said the lead author of the study, Dr. Ruth Link-Gelles, in the context that overall people were at least 30 to 40 per cent more protected with the new booster shot.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Dr Anthony Fauci in a press conference at the White House, on Tuesday, urged Americans to take the new Covid booster shot after a recent study by the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that it offers better protection against symptomatic infection of COVID-19.

Dr Anthony Fauci in a press conference at the White House, on Tuesday, urged Americans to take the new Covid booster shot after a recent study by the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that it offers better protection against symptomatic infection of COVID-19. It is also the first real-world data on the new omicron vaccines. The study shows that the updated “bivalent” Covid booster shots of Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech which target both the omicron strain and the original coronavirus, provide better protection against Covid when compared to the original shots. The booster shot targeting omicron strains, protects against symptomatic infection, depending on prior vaccinations, age, and how long ago the individual took their last vaccine, said the CDC study. ALSO READ: United States approves COVID-19 Omicron vaccine for children as young as 5 This vaccine was rolled out back in September in a bid to counter the virus as it continues to mutate. “You need to update the protection,” said Fauci. He added that the new booster shot “clearly induces” a better immune response against BA.4 and BA.5 variants. Speaking at his last briefing before retirement next month Fauci said that his final message from the White House podium is to “get your updated Covid-19 shot as soon as you’re eligible to protect yourself, your family and your community.” US’ top health official has been the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 and became central to the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ALSO WATCH: Will vaccines work against BA.2, the new sub-variant of Omicron? Covid-19 The study analysed the data collected from over 360,000 people and said that it provides greater benefits to people aged 18-49 years when compared to the older age groups. When the new booster shot was given after eight months or more, the effectiveness compared with the original vaccines differed among age groups, 43 per cent (among people aged 65 years and older), 48 per cent (50-64-year-olds) and 56 per cent (among 18-49 year-olds). ALSO READ: 'The worst is yet to come': Study finds that Omicron is 10 times better than Delta at evading Covid vaccines Notably, the effectiveness ranged between 28 to 31 per cent when the booster shots were given two to three months apart. “We think about it as the additional benefit or incremental benefit of getting one more dose, and in this case that one more dose is a bivalent,” said the lead author of the study, Dr. Ruth Link-Gelles, in the context that overall people were at least 30 to 40 per cent more protected with the new booster shot. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Fauci asks Americans to take Covid booster shots, after study finds them more effective

People infected with the Omicron variant of coronavirus are less likely to need hospital care than those infected with the Delta variant, a UK study has revealed.

The UK Health Security Agency analysed more than 528,000 omicron cases and 573,000 delta cases between November 22 and December 26 in England.

The study noted that only one-third of those infected with Omicron are most likely to be hospitalised than those infected with the Delta variant.

The latest study corroborates the WHO’s assertions and evidence presented by other scientists that the highly transmissible Omicron variant does not present a great danger of hospitalisation and severe illness than the earlier variants, especially Delta.

It also found that vaccines can work well against Omicron.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-horror-flick-rerun-two-third-researchers-at-antarctica-station-contract-covid-says-report-441560">A horror flick rerun? Two third researchers at Antarctica station contract Covid, says report</a>

According to the study, the risk of being admitted to a hospital for Omicron cases was 65% lower for those who had received two doses of a vaccine, compared with those who have not taken any vaccination.

The rate of hospitalisation was even lower among those who had received three doses of vaccine, the report observed.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-daily-covid-cases-rise-by-22775-omicron-tally-stands-at-1431-441547" hreflang="en">India’s daily Covid cases rise by 22,775, Omicron tally stands at 1,431</a>&nbsp;

People who had received booster doses were 81 per cent less likely to be admitted to the hospital, compared with unvaccinated people, according to the report.

While noting the encouraging signs from the study, Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, however said that it was too early to draw any concrete conclusion.

“It remains too early to draw any definitive conclusions on hospital severity, and the increased transmissibility of Omicron and the rising cases in the over 60s population in England means it remains highly likely that there will be significant pressure on the NHS in coming weeks," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

People infected with the Omicron variant of coronavirus are less likely to need hospital care than those infected with the Delta variant, a UK study has revealed.

People infected with the Omicron variant of coronavirus are less likely to need hospital care than those infected with the Delta variant, a UK study has revealed. The UK Health Security Agency analysed more than 528,000 omicron cases and 573,000 delta cases between November 22 and December 26 in England. The study noted that only one-third of those infected with Omicron are most likely to be hospitalised than those infected with the Delta variant. The latest study corroborates the WHO’s assertions and evidence presented by other scientists that the highly transmissible Omicron variant does not present a great danger of hospitalisation and severe illness than the earlier variants, especially Delta. It also found that vaccines can work well against Omicron. Also read | A horror flick rerun? Two third researchers at Antarctica station contract Covid, says report According to the study, the risk of being admitted to a hospital for Omicron cases was 65% lower for those who had received two doses of a vaccine, compared with those who have not taken any vaccination. The rate of hospitalisation was even lower among those who had received three doses of vaccine, the report observed. Also Read: India’s daily Covid cases rise by 22,775, Omicron tally stands at 1,431 People who had received booster doses were 81 per cent less likely to be admitted to the hospital, compared with unvaccinated people, according to the report. While noting the encouraging signs from the study, Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, however said that it was too early to draw any concrete conclusion. “It remains too early to draw any definitive conclusions on hospital severity, and the increased transmissibility of Omicron and the rising cases in the over 60s population in England means it remains highly likely that there will be significant pressure on the NHS in coming weeks," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron causes lower hospitalisation than Delta, booster shots offer good protection: UK study

World economies were slowly and gradually opening borders after facing the wrath of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the past two years. But a new variant with a large number of mutations poses a bigger threat to the world.

World economies were slowly and gradually opening borders after facing the wrath of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the past two years. But a new variant with a large number of mutations poses a bigger threat to the world. After the initial examination, the scientists have said that the new variant is the most worrying Covid variant since delta. The recently-discovered variant B.1.1.529, first detected in southern Africa has been termed as a 'variant of concern' by the World Health Organization (WHO). It has been renamed Omicron by WHO. The early evidence suggested a possible increased risk of reinfection, but scientists have made mere speculations as work is already underway to investigate the immune escape potential of the Omicron variant. WHO also said that it will take several weeks to understand it. IN PICS | Coronavirus: 'Variant of concern' Omicron raises fears globally; cases have been detected in these countries Whether the available vaccines work on the Omicron variant is one among other unanswered questions at the moment. However, it appears that it is too soon to know. What can be considered as a good news that mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are likely adaptable against most variants. But the massive roadblock in the coming days will be countries where very few people have received even a single vaccine dose of vaccines. Moderna The US pharmaceutical company Moderna said Friday (November 26) it will develop a booster shot against the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus. It is one of three strategies the company is working to address the new threat, including a higher dose of its existing vaccine, Moderna said. "The mutations in the Omicron variant are concerning and for several days, we have been moving as fast as possible to execute our strategy to address this variant," said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel. Pfizer and BioNTech German vaccine manufacturer BioNTech expects data from tests "in two weeks at the latest". The company said in a statement said, "Pfizer and BioNTech have taken actions months ago to be able to adapt the mRNA vaccine within six weeks and ship initial batches within 100 days in the event of an escape variant." Sputnik V Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev said in an interview with the RT TV channel that Sputnik V jab, if necessary, can be quickly adjusted to take on a new strain of coronavirus found in South Africa. "We can quickly adapt the vaccine to the new variant of the coronavirus if it is required. We do believe that Sputnik V is for the moment the most effective vaccine against mutations of the coronavirus," he said. IN PICS | New COVID-19 variant: From UK to France - countries that have imposed travel curbs Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson on Friday (November 27) said they are closely monitoring the new variant and already testing their vaccine against it. "We are closely monitoring newly emerging COVID-19 virus strains with variations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and are already testing the effectiveness of our vaccine against the new and rapidly spreading variant first detected in southern Africa," Johnson & Johnson said. AstraZeneca AstraZeneca is also investigating the variant that was first detected in southern Africa. In a statement, the company said, "AstraZeneca is also already conducting research in locations where the variant has been identified, namely in Botswana and Eswatini." What do the experts say? As quoted by The Guardian, Prof Wendy Barclay, a virologist at Imperial College London, said, "Sometimes quantity [of antibodies] can compensate for the lack of a match. That is the only vaccine that's available to us at the moment. We need to make that work as best as we can." Vincent Enouf, from Paris's Institut Pasteur, said, "Based on its genetics, it's something very rare and could well be concerning. We need to remain calm, continue to monitor it and not completely alarm the public." He added, "We need to check if the antibodies produced by our current vaccines still work, and what level do they work and if they can still prevent serious cases." That requires a two-pronged approach of lab trials and looking at real-world data in affected countries. Virologist Etienne Decroly said on Twitter, "It is urgent to adapt RNA vaccines and vaccine boosts to the circulating variants," "The more this virus circulates, the more opportunities this virus has to change, the more mutations we will see," said the WHO's Maria Van Kerkhove. ×

COVID-19: Will vaccines work against the Omicron variant? Here's what experts say