Immunology Research

We keep it Simple:

Known:

• The new variant is B.1.1.529 and called Omicron by the World Health Organization.  It has 50+ mutations from the other covid-19 variants
• WHO designated it as a “variant of concern” on Friday 11/26/2021
• South Africa detected the lineage on Monday 11/22/2021
• Researchers in Botswana and Hong Kong also posted sequences publicly
• Cases have since been reported in Austria, Australia,  Belgium, Canada, Denmark,  Germany,  Hong Kong, Israel,  Italy,  and the United Kingdom
• Travel Bans – Full – Japan, Israel, Morocco as of 11/29/2021
• Travel Bans – Partial – Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada,  Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Singapore, Spain, and the United States
• It spreads very rapidly – We only have 5 days to study it since 11/24/2021
• On Friday afternoon, the United States joined other countries in imposing travel restrictions from those two countries, as well as Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi, effective Monday.
• Get Vaccinated is your best bet

Not Known: 

• We Don’t know how it will compete against the Delta Variant per Dr Frances Collins M.D. former head of CDC
• It may take several weeks to evaluate how sick people get from Omicron Variant
• We don’t know how vaccinated people respond to Omicron Variant
• Not known if the Pfizer pill will work against the Omicron Variant, however, the new pill is a proteinase inhibitor and Dr Collins feels it will work.  It has not been approved by the FDA.
• We don’t have data on break thru cases and non vaccinated cases yet to make a determination

Our suggestions:

• Continue wearing masks as it is in North America
• Get Vaccinated and a booster if you are past six months
• Follow the rules social distance, wash your hands, get a Flu shot
• Be safe avoid crowds and unvaccinated people
• Don’t eat out!