Already having overtaken the rest of the world weeks ago with new cases, the Omicron BA 5 variant has now also taken over as the dominant strain in the US,outpacing BA 4 by a significant degree. When looking at a scatter plot of the degree of difference between all the variants since the start of the pandemic and comparing them with the original form, BA 5 is way out there. Meaning, it is the most unique variant with the most mutations we have seen thus far. At least as its appearance is concerned. It seems to be the most infectious as well but may not, hopefully, cause the most disease severity.
Both the Omicron BA 4 and 5 variants are primarily different in how their spike protein has mutated. Just a reminder, this is the protein on the surface of the virus which attaches to the ACE-2 receptor on the surface of various cells in our bodies. Our noses, lungs, hearts, pancreases, brain… This specific degree of change in the spike protein is the main reason that it not only evades immune protection from the various vaccines out there which all generate antibodies to the spike protein only, but also surprisingly evades immune protection from previous infection which generates antibodies to various proteins on the viral surface. Even a recent Omicron infection is not protective with many documented cases of infection with an Omicron BA5 infection occuring only weeks after an Omicron BA 1.2 infection.
What is even more concerning is that a large, yet unpublished study, is showing that with repeat infections, the risks of long term side-effects, serious illness and need for hospitalization all go up significantly, in some cases doubling with each infection. Death rates have not yet seen a trend, but enough time has not passed to make that determination.
The rates of hospitalization are all on the rise all over Europe where BA 4 and 5 have been dominant for a while. In the US, the hospitalization rates are still stable and “relatively” low, but if past experience is to be expected, we will likely see and increase as well. The post July 4 long weekend effect may still surface in the upcoming weeks.
Although the vaccine provides little protection against infection with BA 5, it still provides protection from serious illness or hospitalization. That having been said, our vaccination strategy must change from a “whack-a-mole” approach of chasing variants to one of a more generalized vaccine, covering more than just the spike protein, and maybe even more than one coronavirus. We now will soon have an Omicron-specific vaccine, but it was 7 months in the making, and the variant it was generated against has come and gone. In addition, generating a variant-specific vaccine puts evolutionary pressure on the virus and other variants are more likely to develop.
Everyone also MUST acknowledge what we know for sure. This virus and the pandemic aren’t going anywhere. In addition, the healthier you are, the less likely you are to get infected, have a serious case of Covid, need hospitalization, have long-haul symptoms or even die from this virus. The #1 risk factor remains being overweight or obese and sadly, those numbers have climbed during the pandemic, not diminished.
A healthier, more robust innate immune system is much more valuable from both an infection and overall health standpoint than relying on boosting our adaptive immune system through vaccination or actual infection. As mild a case as many people have had, you still do not want to get this infection if you can avoid it. I continue to see more and more long-haul symptoms in both adults and kids.
Although I still strongly support vaccination, it will not save us. We must get healthier and be more cautious (mask and distance when appropriate and stay home if your sick).
Get better sleep. That’s when our bodies systems, including our immune system, recuperate.
Exercise more. In addition to helping with weight, it boosts immune function not to mention mental wellbeing.
Eat more plants (yes, those eating a healthy plant-based diet fare have the lowest Covid infection levels and least severe disease). GO VEGAN. For you, the animals and the planet!
Make sure your vitamin D levels are good. If you don’t know, supplement with 3-5000 units a day. Although we call it a vitamin (something which evolved by the dairy industry’s false marketing claims decades ago), it’s actually a hormone and in addition to being important for bone health, it is important for healthy immune function as well.
Other supplements to consider include quercetin, vitamin c, melatonin, zinc.
Socialize. We are not hermits and need one another.
Stay safe and be well.
AC