GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

The paper investigated the effects and preventive measures of omicron variant. The Omicron variant was discovered on November 22, 2021, in South Africa and Botswana, and has since spread to a number of other countries. On November 26, 2021, the WHO designated it as a variant of concern and named it "Omicron." The Omicron variant is a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In the UK, Omicron cases first began in mid-November 2021, identified through whole genome sequencing detected in specimens. Whereas in the U.S., the variant is found in the majority of states and is increasing in the percent of circulating SARS-Cov-2 viruses. S-gene Target Failure (SGTF) is a marker for identifying Omicron cases. Preliminary analysis of SGTF data from testing completed through a national chain of pharmacies also observes regional increases in this proxy measure of the Omicron variant. Likewise, preliminary results of vaccine effectiveness based on clinical outcomes in England and South Africa have emerged, indicating a reduction in vaccine effectiveness for Omicron against infection, symptomatic disease, and hospitalization. In England, vaccine effectiveness estimates were based on 581 symptomatic Omicron cases. Among those who had received 2 doses of Pfizer BioNTech-Comirnaty, vaccine effectiveness was 88.0% (95%CI: 65.9 to 95.8%) 2–9 weeks after dose 2 for the Omicron variant, dropping to 34% (95%CI: -7.0 to 59.0%) after 25 weeks. The paper concluded that Omicron, a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, has been identified in many countries and categorized as a Variant of Concern by the World Health Organization. Little is known about Omicron currently, it is important for the public health and medical communities, as well as the general public, to remain vigilant to reduce potential exposure. One of the recommendations made in this study was that there should be adequate case identification and reporting by the health care officials responsible for early combat against the emerging variants.