The updates come as health officials brace for the impact of the emerging Omicron variant. 9News
seems to offer less defence against infection from the variant but still good protection from hospitalisation, according to an analysis of data from South Africa, where the new variant is driving a surge in infections.
Researchers around the world are rushing to figure out what Omicron will mean for the coronavirus pandemic now well into its second year.More information came Tuesday from Pfizer, which announced that its experimental pill to treat COVID-19 — separate from its vaccine — appears effective against the new variant.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in the country rose over the past two weeks from 8.07 new cases per 100,000 people on November 29 to 34.37 new cases per 100,000 people on December 13, according to Johns Hopkins University."The Omicron-driven fourth wave has a significantly steeper trajectory of new infections relative to prior waves," De Noach said.
The result shows people who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine had 33 per cent protection against infection in the first weeks of South Africa's current Omicron-driven wave. That's a significant drop from the 80 per cent protection against infection afforded during earlier periods. Other studies suggest that both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are less effective in preventing symptomatic infections in people exposed to Omicron, though preliminary data show that effectiveness appears to rise to between 70 per cent and 75 per cent after a third booster dose.The study also found that Omicron poses a higher risk of reinfection. For individuals who have previously had COVID-19, the risk of reinfection with Omicron is significantly higher than that of earlier variants.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pfizer, AstraZeneca less effective at fighting OmicronPfizer and AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccines are not as effective in fighting off the Omicron variant compared to other strains, according to a new study published Monday.
Read more »
Study shows Pfizer vaccine protecting against hospitalisation during Omicron waveTwo doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine appear to have given 70 per cent protection against hospitalisation in South Africa in recent weeks, a major real-world study on the potential impact of Omicron shows.
Read more »
South African doctors see signs Omicron is milder than DeltaDoctors and medical experts in South Africa suspect the Omicron variant really is causing milder COVID-19 than Delta, even if it seems to be spreading faster.
Read more »
Britain faces ‘tidal wave’ of Omicron cases, nationwide boosters flaggedIn a televised statement, Boris Johnson said everyone aged 18 and older would be offered a third shot of a covid19vaccine by the end of December in response to the Omicron “emergency.” The previous target was the end of January.
Read more »
Britain faces ‘tidal wave’ of Omicron cases, nationwide boosters flaggedIn a televised statement, PM Boris Johnson said British adults would be offered a third shot of vaccine by the end of this month in response to the Omicron “emergency”.
Read more »
Newcastle nightclub cluster swells to 84 as NSW reports increase in Omicron casesA further 60 people linked to a nightclub in Newcastle have tested positive to COVID-19 as health officials warn more cases will 'likely be' the Omicron variant.
Read more »