ONE new analysis by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) adds to growing evidence that the risk of Covid-19 hospitalization from the Omicron variant appears to be lower than the risk from Delta.
But while preliminary data suggest that the risk of hospitalization from the Omicron coronavirus variant appears to have decreased, the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant could still lead to large numbers of people being hospitalized, according to the summary. UKHSA’s latest technical short on Coronavirus Variants, released on Thursday.
“It is important to emphasize that these lower risks do not equate to a reduction in hospital burden in the face of disease waves given the higher rates of growth and immunity observed,” the report said. with Omicron”.
The report includes actual data on Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations as of December 20. Based on a review of the data, the report found that the risk of hospitalization solely for Omicron infection was approximately two-fifths that of Delta. infection, and the risk of emergency or hospitalization is approximately three-fifths the risk for Delta.
These findings are in line with a separate paper released Wednesday by the Imperial College Covid-19 Response Team, which estimated the risk of being hospitalized for a day or longer due to a lower Omicron variant. from 40% to 45% compared to the Delta variant. .
The UKHSA report also examines the effectiveness of the vaccine against Omicron – especially in people who have received a booster shot.
The report found that among those who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, efficacy against symptomatic disease was about 60% two to four weeks after the booster injection of Pfizer or Moderna, then decreased to 35 % with Pfizer booster and 45% with Moderna booster. booster injection 10 weeks after booster injection. Among those who received two doses of Pfizer, the effect was achieved on average around 70% after boosting Pfizer, dropping to 45% over 10 weeks. After boosting Moderna, effectiveness remains around 70% to 75% for up to nine weeks.
There are not yet enough severe cases of Omicron to analyze the vaccine’s effect on hospital admissions, but this is expected to be better maintained, for both primary and booster dose. “This analysis will be repeated next week, although the numbers may still limit a robust analysis of protection from more severe outcomes.”
Briefly note that Omicron has continued to rise sharply in proportion to UK cases, and compared to Delta, Omicron is now more concentrated in young adults in their 20s and less common in children.
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