What the Omicron variant means for India

Context: Omicron variant could pose a threat to progress made in the COVID-19 fight, but additional information is needed.

India amid COVID-19

• Decline in COVID-19 cases emboldened by the fact that the festival season did not lead to a steep rise in cases, restrictions have eased and public behaviour is largely returning to normal.
• Seroprevalence studies indicate that a large proportion of the population has already been exposed to the virus providing some level of protection to subsequent infections.
• Immunisation campaign has gained momentum: Approximately 44% of Indian adults have been fully vaccinated and 82% have received at least one dose.

Issues associated with COVID -19 responses

• Emergence of new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus i.e. Omicron variant: That may be responsible for the steep rise of cases in the Gauteng province of South Africa.
  • Omicorn variant has a large number of mutations and there is probability that mutations will allow the new variant to evade immunity obtained from a past infection or via a vaccine.
• Unanswered questions: Like, Is the variant more transmissible? Can it evade the immune system? And is the variant associated with more severe disease outcomes?
• High transmissibility of omicron variant: As cases of the new variant have risen so sharply as to suggest that it may far outstrip the Delta variant in its ability to infect people. 
  • But, there are no reliable estimates of just how much more transmissible the Omicron variant is compared to previous strains of the virus. 
  • Cases travelled from South Africa to other portion of the world in no time.
• Inequity in vaccine distribution means that vaccine is out of reach of most in lower and middle-income countries.
  • Vaccine coverage remains abysmally low: More than 60 countries have vaccinated less than 25% of their population, including South Africa.
• Ethical and moral issue in vaccine distribution: While many rich countries are now arranging for booster doses to safeguard their populations, even younger and less vulnerable individuals, this policy comes at the cost of the rest of the world, where vaccine coverage remains abysmally low.
• Vulnerability: Large number of mutations of omicron variant can severely affects elderly and immunocompromised patient, such as one infected with HIV.

Way forward: Preparing adequately for an uncertain future

• Priority to research: As there is very little information about whether the Omicron variant might lead to more severe forms of COVID-19, both in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
  • Still there is inconclusive evidence related to increased severity associated with other variants (Delta variant).
• Prioritise the elderly and immune compromised for a future additional vaccine dose: As in a weakened immune system the virus will continue to multiply and mutate, changing its form to evade immune response while a strong immune response can ultimately eliminate the virus.
• Promote vaccination to reduce case numbers: Even a single dose of vaccine can reduce dramatically the risk of hospitalisation or a worse outcome; two doses do even better.
  • Current research suggests breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated individuals are reduced in intensity and duration, compared to cases in individuals who have not been vaccinated.
• Countries should make data on virus available in real time like South Africa: South Africa shared the data on omicron variant immediately, supporting the region and the world. 

==========================================================================================