Study: Omicron Shows Resistance To Current Vaccines. No Evidence Omicron Cases Are Less Severe Than Delta

The graphs show the amount of the coronavirus detected in human bronchial cells (left) and lung cells (right) 24 and 48 hours after coming into contact with the original strain of the virus (pink), Delta (orange) and Omicron (red). There was 70 times more Omicron recorded in the bronchus — the main pipe connecting the airways and lungs — compared to previous strains, but 10 times less virus in the lungs when compared to the original version and Delta. Experts from the University of Hong Kong said this suggests the virus is more transmissible but may cause less severe illness  

NYPost: ‘Striking’ vaccine resistance in Omicron variant: Columbia University 

A new study out of Columbia University says the Omicron variant is “markedly resistant” to vaccines and boosters might not do much to help, spelling bad news for the country as Omicron spreads and COVID-19 cases rise nationally. 

“A striking feature of this variant is the large number of spike mutations that pose a threat to the efficacy of current COVID-19 vaccines and antibody therapies,” according to the study authored by more than 20 scientists at Columbia and the University of Hong Kong.  

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WNU Editor: Here is more bad news .... Study finds no evidence Omicron cases are less severe than Delta (Boston Globe) and here .... MEDIA-'No evidence' that Omicron is less severe than Delta, say Imperial researchers- FT (Reuters). More here .... Omicron reinfection rate ‘5.4 times greater than Delta’ says Imperial College London study (Evening Standard). 

Update: Omicron 'greatly compromises' ability of ALL Covid jabs to prevent infection including boosters, lab study finds - but third doses should still give high protection against hospitalization and death (Daily Mail).