How effective are Covid vaccines against Omicron? UAE official explains

  DUBAI – With the Omicron variant of Covid-19 spreading around the world, questions arise on the effectivity of current vaccines against the highly infectious variant. On Thursday (January 6), Dr. Farida Al Hosani, a government spokesperson, said that initial studies suggest that current vaccines are less effective against Omicron. However, she said that booster doses are helping protect people from being infected with the Omicron variant. The UAE reported its first case of the Omicron variant on December 1, 2021. “These studies also show that people who received the booster shot have a greater prevention rate than those who didn’t,” she said in a video by Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre. “We recommend that you get the vaccines and the booster dose on time.” Booster doses are now available for those who already received their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Officials recommend getting the booster shot six months after their second dose. What is Omicron? Omicron is a new variant of the Covid-19 virus. Omicron was first identified in South Africa and has since been reported in 57 countries, according to the World Health Organization. Omicron seems to have a shorter incubation time than other variants. It takes three days for symptoms to develop, compared with four to six days with the Delta and original coronavirus. Medical findings show that nearly all cases of the Omicron variant are mild so far. Data from findings suggest that Omicron patients often develop a scratchy or sore throat along with nasal congestion, a dry cough and muscle pain, especially lower back pain. People with Omicron may also report symptoms like nausea or fatigue. ICA/Expat Media
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