Omicron Variant Spreads Faster Than Delta Variant, Nusantara Vaccine Becomes An Alternative

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is more contagious than the Delta variant and infects people who have been vaccinated or have recently recovered from COVID-19. Under these conditions, vaccination is the solution, including the Nusantara Vaccine, which was initiated by dr. Terawan Agus Putranto.

WHO scientist, Soumya Swaminathan even said, it was not wise to conclude with the initial data that the symptoms caused by Omicron were lighter than the previous variant.

Soumnya said, the Omicron variant causes infection in people who have been vaccinated or who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection. "With the numbers continuing to rise, the health system will be burdened," said Soumya Swaminathan, batting Reuters on Tuesday, Dec. 21.

According to Soumnya, the Omicron variant manages to evade some immune responses. This means that booster vaccine programs carried out in many countries must target people with low immune systems.

"There is now consistent evidence that Omicron is spreading more rapidly than the Delta variant," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference. "And it appears that people who have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 can become infected or re-infected," Tedros said.

Similarly, the findings of Imperial College London said the risk of being reinfected was five times higher. There's also no sign of Omicron lighter than Delta.

However, the WHO says other forms of immunity vaccination may prevent infection. But officials at the WHO say other forms of COVID-19 vaccination can prevent infection and disease.

WHO expert, Abdi Mahamud said, even though the world community is currently seeing a reduction in antibody neutralization, almost all analyzes show T-cell-mediated immunity remains intact. "That's what we really need," he said.

Answering a question how to deal with the Omicron variant, which was detected at the end of last month, Soumnya Swaminathan said it was a challenge. "Because many monoclonal antibodies don't work with Omicron," he said.

Meanwhile, regarding T cells that show immunity with the Omicron variant, the former Minister of Health, Terawan Agus Putranto and a team in Indonesia have previously carried out research and development using the Dendritic Cell method, namely the Nusantara Vaccine.

Dendritic cells encountered with recombinant antigens in the laboratory have the ability to recognize the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

The Main Research Team for the Nusantara Vaccine, Major General TNI (Ret.) dr. Daniel Tjen Sp.S explained, those who have received dendritic cell injections can boost, strengthen immunity and quickly produce antibodies.

"Dendritic cells that have been introduced to these antigens will also stimulate T cells so that they function as long-term adaptive stimuli, have long-lasting memories," said Dr. Jaya, last Wednesday (6/10).

Similarly, a member of the Main Researcher of the Nusantara Vaccine Team, Colonel Dr. Jonny Sp. PD, K.GH M.Kes, MM, CAPD said, Nusantara Vaccine is very good to use as a booster.

He even admitted that he had vaccinated with Sinovac Vaccines and Nusantara Vaccines. "Because the Nusantara Vaccine is actually different from the regular vaccine (conventional, ed) the goal is to produce antibodies, but the Nusantara Vaccine is cellular immunity. If it is used to complement (booster, ed) it's really good," said Dr Jonny when talking to reporters, Saturday, December 20.

A senior journalist who is also one of the founders of the Discussion Room, Dar Edi Yoga, said that the Nusantara Vaccine, which is the work of the nation's children, is very appropriate to be used as a booster for the people of Indonesia. "The Nusantara vaccine is able to fight various variants of COVID-19 and is enough to be injected once for a lifetime," said Dar Edi Yoga.

The Nusantara Vaccine, he said, had an efficacy rate of 97 percent for 7 months after the phase 2 clinical trial some time ago. "This means that if other (conventional) vaccines decrease their efficacy to 30 percent or even below that, it is different with the Nusantara Vaccine which remains high and is injected once in a lifetime," said Yoga.