New Covid variant: The threat from Omicron has prompted India and other countries to step up testing and surveillance
New Delhi:
A consortium of 28 laboratories to monitor genomic variants in coronavirus has recommended the center to consider COVID-19 booster dose for people 40 and older amid the threat of Omicron, a new variant of interest. India has reported two cases of Omicron infection.
“Immunization of all remaining unvaccinated at-risk individuals and consideration of booster doses for those aged 40 years and older could first target those at high risk and exposed The highest that can be considered, as low levels of neutralizing antibodies from current vaccines are not enough to neutralize Omicron, INSACOG said in its weekly newsletter, although the risk of serious illness remains. is likely to be reduced.
Short for Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium, INSACOG examines variations of the coronavirus nationwide to help understand how it spreads and evolves, and recommends the best possible response for public health.
“Genome surveillance will be crucial for early detection of the presence of this variant (Omicron) to take the necessary public health measures. The areas have been made along with increased testing. (with sequence of confirmed cases),” the group said in its news release.
The US and UK have eliminated booster shots for some age groups.
Leading U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci stressed that fully vaccinated adults should get a booster shot when eligible to get the best possible protection.
INSACOG says preliminary evidence suggests that Omicron may increase the risk of reinfection, which is predicted from structural changes due to the mutation, and that the number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in most cases. provinces in South Africa where it was first discovered.
One of the two patients found to be infected in India was a 46-year-old fully vaccinated doctor from Bengaluru, who had no travel history and developed symptoms of fever and body aches on day 21. 11. The other confirmed Omicron patient is a 66-year-old South African citizen who arrived in India with a negative report of Covid.
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