Will the vaccines be effective against the Omicron variant?
Dr. Steve Pascolo. While studies are still ongoing, one thing is certain: messenger RNA vaccines (Pfizer/BioNtech and Moderna) will provide protection against the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
Indeed: these vaccines act on the two branches of adaptive immunity, which means that they stimulate the B cells (which produce the antibodies) but also the T cells (T8 and T4, which are the killer cells and the leaders orchestra of immunity) of the immune system.
If the B cells risk losing (a little) efficiency against Omicron, the T cells will remain fully effective. However, they protect us against a severe Covid-19.
Do modifications to the Spike protein of the Omicron variant not risk compromising the effectiveness of vaccines against Covid-19?
Dr. Steve Pascolo. There is a lot of talk about these 32 mutations on the Spike protein of the Omicron variant, the very one that is targeted by the anti-Covid-19 vaccines.
But what you need to know is that this “spike” protein is made up of around 1300 amino acids: the Spike proteins of the “original” virus (the one that appeared in Wuhan) and of the Omicron variant therefore resemble 97 %!
Will it be necessary to adapt vaccines against Covid-19 to the Omicron variant?
Dr. Steve Pascolo. For now, we don’t know. If the rate of hospitalization of people vaccinated against Covid-19 and infected with the Omicron variant increases, it may be necessary to reformulate the vaccines against Covid-19, which is easily done with messenger RNA technology.
I understand that this uncertainty can cause reluctance, even mistrust. But what must be understood is that this virus has only been known since the end of 2019: researchers and health authorities adapt their recommendations according to the discoveries.
Patients who suffer from chronic diseases are used to seeing their treatments regularly adapted to the evolution of their disease: this is a habit that the general public does not have. We are used to having a problem, a solution: for this Covid-19 epidemic, unfortunately, we must collectively learn to adapt.
Despite the emergence of the Omicron variant, should you take your 3rd dose of Covid vaccine?
Dr. Steve Pascolo. Yes. Firstly because there is a good chance that this 3rd dose of Covid-19 vaccine will provide increased protection against the Omicron variant, although studies are still ongoing.
Then because the vaccines against Covid-19 are very effective in preventing serious forms: taking your third dose of vaccine is a good way to limit spending Christmas in the hospital, connected to an oxygen bottle. ..
Thanks to Dr. Steve Pascolo, immunologist at the University Hospital of Zurich (Switzerland).
Read also :
- Variant Omicron: confirmed case in Seine et Marne, symptoms, vaccine effectiveness… What we know
- 3rd dose Covid vaccine: delay, for whom, side effects
- The health pass is extended until July 31
