The World Health Organization (WHO) designated the Coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 as a variant of concern and named it Omicron, based on the advice of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE).
Omicron is the 15th letter of the Greek alphabets, and the TAG-VE skipped the preceding Greek letters “nu” and “xi” to avoid confusion with English word “New” and Chinese name “Xi” respectively.
This variant has numerous changes in its spike proteins, the surface club-like projections that give the distinctive appearance of coronaviruses and mediate viral entry as an initial step of the viral infection.
The new Omicron variant has been reported in 57 countries, out of which 10 are African countries. So far, the number is expected to continue growing, even as the origin of the new Omicron variant is still unknown.
It was first reported to WHO on 24th November, 2021, and was first identified and sequenced in South Africa (SA). The country has an excellent viral surveillance system due to the presence of highly advanced sequencing labs in the country. The detection of Omicron in South Africa has hit hard on the economy of the country, especially its aviation and hospitality industries.
Despite the widespread global presence of the Omicron variant, more than 70 countries swiftly imposed a travel ban on selected African countries. Many African leaders, including President Ramaphosa of South Africa and Nigeria’s senate president, have slammed the West on the travel ban imposed on some African countries.
In addition, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, condemned the ban and described it as a “travel apartheid”. Guterres reiterated that South Africa should be praised for revealing the identity of a new variant that was already in existence in other parts of the world, including Europe.
Records have shown that the new Omicron variant affects both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Interestingly, the majority of the patients have shown mild symptoms, commonly being a cough, congestion, and fatigue. The rate of hospitalization is on the low side and no deaths have been reported so far. There are also reports of Omicron variant infections in children exhibiting symptoms of a common cold.
When compared to other variants of concern, preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with Omicron among people who have previously had COVID-19. It was initially insinuated that the variant circumvents vaccines. Current vaccines work effectively against the Delta variant, a seemingly more harmful but less transmissible variant, and may prevent Omicron infection, especially after booster shots.
According to Pfizer officials, standard two doses of COVID vaccine seem less effective against the new Omicron variant, a booster dose may be required to increase the neutralizing antibodies.
Previously, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, Ph.D., disclosed the need for a fourth dose to be administered about a year after a third shot. Now the company’s scientists postulate that a fourth shot, targeting the Omicron variant will likely be needed sooner than expected. In addition, there are plans by some companies towards producing vaccines tailored against the Omicron variant by March 2022.
Regulatory agencies and research institutes are still trying to determine how the Omicron variant may affect the course of the pandemic, and whether or not the strain is more contagious or causes a more severe disease.
However, the rule of thumb regarding mutation and immunity is that the more mutations on a variant, the higher the level of immunity required by the body. The heightened mutations contained on the Omicron variant motivated the call for booster shots for all adults.
WHO revealed that the features of Omicron, including its global spread and a large number of mutations, specifically 60 mutations when compared with the original Wuhan Virus, with 32 of them affecting the spike protein, suggest that it could have a major impact on the course of the pandemic. But the nature and extent of the impact remain unknown.
With the very little information available on the new variant, more research output is needed to substantiate the need for four doses to neutralize the effect of the new variant. However, the option of third and fourth doses is close to non-existent in a country like Nigeria, where a very little percentage of the population is fully vaccinated, partly due to non-compliance and non-availability of the vaccines.
From a healthcare perspective, it is important to understand that we need to take precautionary measures to keep us well-protected against contracting the new variant.
Preliminary data suggest that Omicron leads to a rapid increase in transmission. Efforts are underway to understand whether it can “outcompete” the Delta variant. Data from South Africa also suggest a higher risk of reinfection with Omicron, though it appears to cause milder symptoms than the Delta variant. The steps we take today, and in the coming days and weeks, will determine how Omicron unfolds.
More studies are underway to assess and document properly the transmissibility, severity of infection, performance of vaccines and diagnostic tests, and effectiveness of treatments on Omicron variant infection. More information on how mutations in Omicron alter the behavior of the virus will continue to emerge in the coming days, weeks, and months.
It is advisable that governments should implement measures towards addressing inequities in accessing COVID-19 vaccines by ensuring easy asses to the vulnerable groups and improved availability in our localities.
At the moment, it is recommended that we continue to adhere to effective public health measures that will help in reducing COVID-19 infection and community transmission. This includes maintaining a physical distance of at least 1 meter from others, avoiding poorly ventilated or crowded spaces, staying in a well-ventilated space (keep windows open where necessary), using a well-fitting facemask, washing hands regularly, coughing and/or sneezing into a bent elbow or tissue (remember to discard the tissue appropriately after use), and get vaccinated.