Vaccines likely to fight off variant

SOUTH Africa’s available Covid-19 vaccines, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, are likely to still offer high levels of protection against the newly identified Covid-19 variant, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

The new variant, B.1.1.529 (Omicron), was detected in the country last week and 22 positive cases were reported in the country.

NICD acting executive director, Professor Adrian Puren, said experts continue to work around the clock to gain a better understanding of the variant.

“While the announcement of a new Covid-19 variant was unforeseen it is not a complete surprise as viral mutations are a natural occurrence,” he said.

Currently there have been no unusual symptoms reported following infection with the B.1.1.529 variant.

While its lineage shares a few common mutations with the C.1.2, Beta and Delta variants, it also has a number of additional mutations.

“We expect new variants to continue to emerge wherever the virus is spreading. Vaccination remains critical to protect those in our communities at high risk of hospitalisation and death, to reduce strain on the health system, and to help slow transmission,” according to the NICD.

Meanwhile, European and Asian countries have tightened travel restrictions following the new variant announcement.

South Africa has been placed back on the UK’s red, just weeks after flights resumed between the countries.

UK Secretary of State Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, said they were taking precautions.

“The UK Health Security Agency is investigating a new variant. More data is needed but we're taking precautions now. From noon tomorrow (Friday) six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine,” he tweeted.

The World Health Organization (WHO) held an experts’ meeting from Geneva at midday on Friday to assess the new Covid-19 variant amid growing concern.

Epidemiologist and WHO technical lead on Covid-19, said: “This is one to watch, I would say we have concern”.

Israel has also identified a case of the new variant with a large number of mutations, the health ministry said on Friday.

“The variant discovered in southern African states has been identified in Israel,” the ministry said, adding it was recorded “in a person who returned from Malawi”.

Only 27% of health workers in Africa have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, leaving the bulk of the workforce on the front lines unprotected, according to preliminary analysis by the WHO.

Using data drawn from 25 countries on the continent since March, the report found that only 1.3 million health workers have been fully vaccinated.

The WHO says the low coverage is likely due to the lack of availability of vaccination services, especially in rural areas, as well as vaccine hesitancy.

Nine countries have fully vaccinated less than 40% of its health-care workers.