Scientists from many institutions were looking at Omicron’s BA.4 and BA.5 sub-lines – which the World Health Organization added to its watchlist last month. They took blood samples from 39 participants who had previously been infected with Omicron when it first appeared late last year. Fifteen were vaccinated – eight with the Pfizer vaccine. seven with J & J’s – while the other 24 do not. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register “The vaccinated group showed about 5 times greater ability to neutralize … and should be better protected,” said the study, which was pre-printed at the weekend. In unvaccinated samples, there was an almost eight-fold reduction in antibody production when exposed to BA.4 and BA.5, compared to the original BA.1 Omicron series. Blood from vaccinated individuals decreased threefold. South Africa may enter a fifth wave of COVID earlier than expected, officials and scientists said on Friday, blaming the continuing rise in infections apparently due to BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron variants. Only about 30% of South Africa’s 60 million population is fully vaccinated. “Based on neutralization escape, BA.4 and BA.5 have the potential to lead to a new wave of infection,” the study said. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Edited by: Frances Kerry Our role models: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
