UGM Expert: Omicron Variant Has Not Been Concluded As More Contagious

ILLUSTRATION/PIXABAY

YOGYAKARTA - Gadjah Mada University clinical microbiology expert Prof. Dr. Tri Wibawa said that until now it has not been concluded that the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is more easily transmitted than other variants.

"It cannot be concluded that Omicron is more infectious than the other variants because there is no direct evidence about it," said Tri Wibawa at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing (FKKMK) UGM, Yogyakarta, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, December 21.

Although there are several interim reports that show the Omicron variant is more infectious than other variants, according to him, the latest WHO weekly report, December 14, has not been able to conclude that the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is more easily transmitted.

On the other hand, according to Tri Wibawa, it is not yet certain whether the vaccine that has been injected so far is able to protect the body from exposure to Omicron or not.

"Although there have been several reports of a decrease in vaccine efficacy and antibody neutralization ability for several vaccines that have been studied," he said.

Therefore, Tri said, giving a booster vaccine is important because in general, a person's immunity can decrease after some time after natural infection or COVID-19 vaccination.

By giving a booster, according to him, it is hoped that it will increase the efficacy of the vaccine that has been carried out, as well as in the context of dealing with infection with the Omicron variant.

He explained that the Omicron virus has 50 mutations, 30 of which are in the gene encoding the S protein.

Half of the mutations in the gene encoding protein S are located in the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) region where the virus interacts with the ACE2 receptor on target cells.

"There are mutations that have been found in previous variants, there are new ones only on Omicron," he said.

Tri Wibawa hopes that awareness of the variant will be increased ahead of Christmas and the new year to avoid traveling to areas where Omicron variants are found a lot.

The health protocols, he said, would still be applied with discipline by reducing mobility, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds, wearing masks, and washing hands frequently.

"We hope that the public remains vigilant by implementing optimal health protocols and vaccination is a useful effort to increase immunity to the Omicron variant," he said.