Omicron Update and Vaccine-associated miscarriages
A study out of South Africa reports that the ability for Omicron to evade immune neutralization from the antibodies from specifically the pfizer vaccine is 42x greater than its neutralization of the original (wild-type) virus which appeared almost 2 years ago.
What this means is that, in the lab, antibodies which are generated by the Pfizer vaccine (one of the mRNA vaccines) are 42x less able to neutralize (essentially inactivate) the Omicron variant virus. This does NOT mean that it is useless. There is definitely some protection provided by the vaccine and there was a dose-dependent effect, meaning, the lower the antibody levels, the more Omicron can withstand the antibodies. This says nothing about the NK (natural killer), T or B cells protection. Those cells are permanent but may take a few days to kick in.
In the real world, doctors who are treating real patients with Omicron in S. Africa, are reporting that 90% or more of the hospitalized and dying patients continue to be the unvaccinated. Those vaccinated who are getting sicker, tend to be older as well as those who have chosen not to get a booster. Previous infection does not seem to provide any greater protection against Omicron either, but it’s still early.
Fortunately, so far this variant does not seem to be causing worse symptoms than previous variants.
Another recent US study showed that, in general, vaccination after infection is still significantly better than just relying on natural immunity from the infection alone.
MISCARRIAGES and VACCINATION? I was recently sent an online link to an article about this issue and from my own research as well as from local experience with local OB/Gyn docs, there is no such relationship. The vaccine does NOT cause miscarriages. The doctor who reported this has a huge online following, and although he does promote a lot of healthful behaviors I agree with, he also has some controversial views and, not surprisingly, sells a lot of expensive, proprietary supplements. Although some supplements like vitamin D, B12, C as well as a few others in select situations are helpful, get your nutrients from whole foods. The more, and the greater the variety of whole, unprocessed plants you eat, the better.
THE BOTTOM LINE!
More time is needed to get a clearer picture about how Omicron will impact on us, but it seems to be just as infectious, if not more infectious, as Delta, it leads to no more, and maybe even less significant degree of disease, but unfortunately seems to evade previous vaccination, as well as previous infection to a greater degree than previous variants.
VACCINATION STILL WORKS. Not only does vaccination provide protection against all the other variants of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, it also provides some protection against the Omicron variant, albeit less than previous versions.
GET YOUR BOOSTER. Higher levels of antibodies provide even more benefit, including with Omicron.
Stay safe and be well.
AC