Lockown won't stop Omicron wave, health service says
3 years ago

Lockown won't stop Omicron wave, health service says

NL Times  

The current lockdown will slow down a new wave of coronavirus infections and hospital admissions, but won't prevent it, public health institute RIVM said. The cause is the rapid advance of the more contagious Omicron variant, RIVM epidemiologist Susan van den Hof said to the RIVM. "We expect that the combination of booster shots and current measures can greatly dampen the effect of Omicron," Van der Hof said to the broadcaster. "The booster seems to be of great help in boosting the decreased protection against Omicron," Van der Hof said.

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History of this topic

CDC endorses updated COVID boosters, shots to begin soon
2 years, 3 months ago

CDC endorses updated COVID boosters, shots to begin soon

Associated Press  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday endorsed updated COIVD-19 boosters, opening the way for a fall vaccination campaign that could blunt a winter surge if enough Americans roll up their sleeves. “I think they’re going to be an effective tool for disease prevention this fall and into the winter,” said CDC adviser Dr. Matthew Daley of Kaiser …

CDC Recommends Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Targeting Omicron Strains
2 years, 3 months ago

CDC Recommends Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Targeting Omicron Strains

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING New COVID-19 boosters that target today’s most common omicron strains are set to begin soon after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the updated shots Thursday. The decision by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky came shortly after the agency’s advisers said if enough people roll up their sleeves, the shots could blunt a winter surge. The …

Tweaked COVID boosters in US must target newer omicron types
2 years, 5 months ago

Tweaked COVID boosters in US must target newer omicron types

Associated Press  

U.S. regulators told COVID-19 vaccine makers Thursday that any booster shots tweaked for the fall will have to add protection against the newest omicron relatives. And the current Pfizer and Moderna vaccines still offer strong protection against COVID-19’s worst outcomes as long as people have gotten already recommended boosters. The FDA’s decision comes after its scientific advisers earlier this week …

COVID boosters for the fall must target newer Omicron mutations, FDA says
2 years, 5 months ago

COVID boosters for the fall must target newer Omicron mutations, FDA says

LA Times  

The Food and Drug Administration has recommended that COVID-19 booster shots be modified to better match more recent changes in the Omicron variant. U.S. regulators told COVID-19 vaccine makers Thursday that any booster shots tweaked for the fall will have to add protection against the newest mutations of Omicron. But with immunity waning and the super-contagious Omicron family of coronavirus …

Booster does up protection against Omicron to 68%: RIVM research
2 years, 10 months ago

Booster does up protection against Omicron to 68%: RIVM research

Dutch News  

While vaccinations or a previous coronavirus infection provide less effective protection against the Omicron variant when compared with Delta, a booster does ensure renewed protection, according to new research by public health institute RIVM. After a booster vaccination, protection against infection with Delta rose to 93% and to 68% for Omicron, the RIVM research shows. ‘International research shows that protection …

Booster shots needed against omicron, CDC studies show
2 years, 11 months ago

Booster shots needed against omicron, CDC studies show

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Three studies released Friday offered more evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are standing up to the omicron variant, at least among people who received booster shots. The papers echo previous research — including studies in Germany, South Africa and the U.K. — indicating available vaccines are less effective against omicron than earlier versions of the coronavirus, but also …

Booster shots needed against Omicron, CDC studies show
2 years, 11 months ago

Booster shots needed against Omicron, CDC studies show

LA Times  

A dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is prepared at Lurie Children’s hospital on Nov. 5, 2021, in Chicago. Three studies released Friday offered more evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are standing up to the Omicron variant, at least among people who received booster shots. The papers echo previous research — including studies in Germany, South Africa and the U.K. — …

Omicron Scare: Does booster dose really neutralizes COVID-19's new variant?
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron Scare: Does booster dose really neutralizes COVID-19's new variant?

India TV News  

An international team of researchers recently studied the sensitivity of Omicron to antibodies compared with the currently dominant Delta variant. In a new study supported by the European Union's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, scientists from the Institut Pasteur and the Vaccine Research Institute, in collaboration with KU Leuven, Orleans Regional Hospital, Hospital Europeen Georges Pompidou and Inserm, studied …

Omicron Scare: The new COVID19 variant neutralised by booster dose, finds study
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron Scare: The new COVID19 variant neutralised by booster dose, finds study

India TV News  

Highlights According to a study, the booster dose of Pfizer remained effective against Omicron India reports 1,68,063 new Covid cases, 277 deaths in last 24 hours The rising number of Omicron cases in the country has raised concerns. However, according to a study, the booster dose of Pfizer remained effective against Omicron. But the sera of individuals who had received …

'Covid Zero' Unlikely But Omicron Wave Could Be Beginning of the End of Pandemic, Says Top Doctor
2 years, 11 months ago

'Covid Zero' Unlikely But Omicron Wave Could Be Beginning of the End of Pandemic, Says Top Doctor

News 18  

As the Omicron variant of Covid-19 surges across India and the world, shattering old records of daily cases, it’s pertinent to know what the road ahead looks like in 2022. Dr Shamsher Dwivedee, head of the Covid task force at New Delhi’s VIMHANS Niyati Super Speciality hospital, says manpower is the biggest challenge this time. Top infectious diseases specialist of …

Booster dose gives high levels of protection against infections from Omicron in older adults: UK study
2 years, 11 months ago

Booster dose gives high levels of protection against infections from Omicron in older adults: UK study

India Today  

A third top-up booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine provides high levels of protection against severe disease from the Omicron variant among older adults, a latest UK study concluded on Saturday. The UK Health Security Agency analysis showed that around three months after the third jab, protection against hospitalisation among those aged 65 and over remains at about 90 per …

Moderna CEO sees another round of COVID booster jabs in fall
2 years, 11 months ago

Moderna CEO sees another round of COVID booster jabs in fall

Al Jazeera  

Moderna Inc chief Stephane Bancel also said Omicron may move the world rapidly to an endemic phase where most people are exposed to the coronavirus. Moderna Inc. Chief Executive Officer Stephane Bancel said another round of vaccine boosters against Covid-19 will probably be needed this fall, even if immunity to the rapidly spreading omicron variant becomes widespread. Highly infectious omicron …

Outbreak team says lockdown extension likely; Retailers angered
2 years, 11 months ago

Outbreak team says lockdown extension likely; Retailers angered

NL Times  

Due to uncertainties about the "important characteristics" of the Omicron variant, the Outbreak Management Team is not in favor of a quick relation of Covid-19 measures, apart from reopening schools. According to OMT, the hospital admissions resulting from the wave could remain relatively limited. Although Omicron appears to be milder than delta, there is still a risk it could overload …

Virus fears widen as omicron variant takes hold across US
3 years ago

Virus fears widen as omicron variant takes hold across US

Associated Press  

BOSTON — The nation’s second-largest city called off its New Year’s Eve celebration Monday, and its smallest state re-imposed an indoor mask mandate as the omicron variant leaped ahead of other variants to become the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S. And in Boston, the city’s new Democratic mayor announced to howls of protests that anyone entering a …

Omicron prompts new confusion over what’s safe and what’s not
3 years ago

Omicron prompts new confusion over what’s safe and what’s not

CNN  

A version of this story appeared in CNN’s What Matters newsletter. “We’re concerned that people are dismissing Omicron as mild,” Tedros said. “I’m not canceling holiday plans,” said retired Adm. Dr. Brett Giroir, the former Health and Human Services assistant secretary for health. I missed Christmas last year.” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top White House adviser on Covid-19, recently said …

EXPLAINER: Boosters key to fight omicron, lot still to learn
3 years ago

EXPLAINER: Boosters key to fight omicron, lot still to learn

Associated Press  

The new omicron variant took only a few weeks to live up to dire predictions about how hugely contagious it is but scientists don’t yet know if it causes more severe disease even as the world faces exploding cases just before Christmas. After a booster, the protection against an omicron infection still appears about 20% less than protection against the …

Omicron Is Now The Dominant COVID-19 Variant In The U.S.
3 years ago

Omicron Is Now The Dominant COVID-19 Variant In The U.S.

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING BOSTON — The nation’s second-largest city called off its New Year’s Eve celebration Monday, and its smallest state re-imposed an indoor mask mandate as the omicron variant leaped ahead of other variants to become the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S. And in Boston, the city’s new Democratic mayor announced to howls of protests that …

EXPLAINER: Boosters key to fight omicron, lot still to learn
3 years ago

EXPLAINER: Boosters key to fight omicron, lot still to learn

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. After a booster, the protection …

Boosters are key to fighting Omicron, but there’s still lots to learn
3 years ago

Boosters are key to fighting Omicron, but there’s still lots to learn

LA Times  

People wait in a line extending around the block to receive free at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits in Philadelphia on Monday, Dec. 20. The new Omicron variant took only a few weeks to live up to dire predictions about how hugely contagious it might be, but scientists don’t yet know if it causes more severe disease — even as the …

Dutch set to announce new lockdown, press conference at 7pm Saturday
3 years ago

Dutch set to announce new lockdown, press conference at 7pm Saturday

Dutch News  

Prime minister Mark Rutte has called a press conference on Saturday evening to announce tough new measures to brake the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. Rutte and health minister Hugo de Jonge will be joined by Jaap van Dissel, head of the public health institute RIVM, at the 7pm meeting, broadcaster NOS reported. Van Dissel estimates Omicron could …

Dutch set to announce new lockdown, press conference at 7pm Saturday
3 years ago

Dutch set to announce new lockdown, press conference at 7pm Saturday

Dutch News  

Prime minister Mark Rutte has called a press conference on Saturday evening to announce tough new measures to brake the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. Rutte and health minister Hugo de Jonge will be joined by Jaap van Dissel, head of the public health institute RIVM, at the 7pm meeting, broadcaster NOS reported. Van Dissel estimates Omicron could …

Hard lockdown necessary right now, says Dutch outbreak team
3 years ago

Hard lockdown necessary right now, says Dutch outbreak team

NL Times  

The Outbreak Management Team has advised implementing a hard lockdown in the Netherlands forcing the closure of all sectors, with the exception of essential shops such as supermarkets, pharmacies and drugstores. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he was "not hopeful" about the developments surrounding the new variant, which appears to be much more contagious than the Delta variant. Health Minister …

Omicron could bring the worst surge of COVID yet in the U.S. — and fast
3 years ago

Omicron could bring the worst surge of COVID yet in the U.S. — and fast

NPR  

Omicron could bring the worst surge of COVID yet in the U.S. — and fast Enlarge this image toggle caption Samuel Corum/Getty Images Samuel Corum/Getty Images How bad could an omicron surge get this winter? But in the most pessimistic scenario, omicron could trigger a tidal wave of infections that would be worse than last winter's massive surge. "We need …

Op-Ed: Pandemic fatigue has Americans glossing over Omicron. But we can’t give up
3 years ago

Op-Ed: Pandemic fatigue has Americans glossing over Omicron. But we can’t give up

LA Times  

People wait at a COVID-19 testing site Monday in New York City. Many people, after reading early reports suggesting Omicron might be a milder form of the virus, are asking “Why should I worry?” First, we don’t have any evidence that Omicron is milder than Delta. We don’t know yet how common long COVID will be for Omicron infections and …

Omicron likely to be dominant Covid-19 variant in Europe by mid-January, says EU official
3 years ago

Omicron likely to be dominant Covid-19 variant in Europe by mid-January, says EU official

India Today  

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday that Omicron is expected to be the dominant coronavirus variant in the 27-nation bloc by mid-January, amid concerns that a dramatic rise of in infections will leave Europe shrouded in gloom during the festive season. DOUBLE CHALLENGE Von der Leyen added that the EU is now facing a double challenge, with …

Boosters give up to 75 percent protection from mild Omicron: UK
3 years ago

Boosters give up to 75 percent protection from mild Omicron: UK

Al Jazeera  

Booster COVID-19 vaccine shots give an estimated 70 percent to 75 percent protection against mild disease from the new Omicron variant, according to the United Kingdom’s Health Security Agency, citing initial findings from a real-world study. The early data suggest that while Omicron could greatly reduce protection against mild disease from an initial two-dose vaccination course, boosters restored the protection …

Pfizer says lab tests show COVID booster may offer protection against Omicron
3 years ago

Pfizer says lab tests show COVID booster may offer protection against Omicron

ABC  

Pfizer says a third booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine may offer important protection against the Omicron variant, even though the initial two doses appear significantly less effective. Key points: Pfizer says lab tests suggest a third shot of its vaccine produces antibodies that can fight Omicron infections The findings haven't been peer-reviewed or tested outside the lab Joe Biden …

Pfizer says COVID booster offers protection against omicron
3 years ago

Pfizer says COVID booster offers protection against omicron

Associated Press  

Pfizer said Wednesday that a booster of its COVID-19 vaccine may offer important protection against the new omicron variant even though the initial two doses appear significantly less effective. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said that while two doses may not be strong enough to prevent infection, lab tests showed a booster increased by 25-fold people’s levels of antibodies capable …

Lockdowns to deal with Omicron cannot be ruled out – Neil Ferguson
3 years ago

Lockdowns to deal with Omicron cannot be ruled out – Neil Ferguson

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. At the moment, we don't really have a good handle on the severity of …

Pfizer says its COVID-19 booster shot offers protection against the Omicron variant
3 years ago

Pfizer says its COVID-19 booster shot offers protection against the Omicron variant

LA Times  

Pfizer says a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine may protect against the new Omicron variant, which early indications show might be more contagious. Pfizer said Wednesday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine may offer important protection against the new Omicron variant even though the initial two doses appear significantly less effective. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said …

Joe Biden on Omicron: Cause for concern, not panic, US not considering lockdown
3 years ago

Joe Biden on Omicron: Cause for concern, not panic, US not considering lockdown

Live Mint  

United States President Joe Biden on Monday called the new Covid-19 variant omicron a cause for concern but “not a cause for panic" and said he was not considering any widespread US lockdown. When omicron arrives, and it will, Biden said, America will “face this new threat just as we’ve faced those that have come before it.” He appealed to …

Should we plod on or panic in the face of the new omicron variant?
3 years ago

Should we plod on or panic in the face of the new omicron variant?

The Independent  

Well this is a bit of a kick in the teeth, isn’t it? Just when you get your booster jab and start to relax about mixing and mingling, along comes a potentially more lethal, vaccine-evading new Covid virus variant, aka “omicron”, which sounds like a rubbish IT company. Life goes on, but some of us can’t help feeling that we’re …

COVID-19 vaccines may partially work on new variant Omicron, says ex-ICMR scientist Dr Gangakhedkar
3 years ago

COVID-19 vaccines may partially work on new variant Omicron, says ex-ICMR scientist Dr Gangakhedkar

Firstpost  

Gangakhedkar said the public has an important role to play by following the basic rules of wearing masks, maintaining hand hygiene and social distancing Amid growing concerns over Omicron, former Indian Council of Medical Research scientist Dr Raman Gangakhedkar told News18 that vaccines may provide only partial protection against the new ‘heavily mutated’ variant of SARS-CoV-2. “Everyone must make efforts …

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