South Africa: "Infection with Omicron Variant Also Strengthens Neutralizing Power Against Delta Variant"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] A study has found that infection with the COVID-19 Omicron variant not only boosts immunity against Omicron itself but also enhances protection against the Delta variant.

A research team led by Alex Sigal, director of the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in South Africa, included this finding in a pre-peer-reviewed paper released on the 28th (local time), according to major foreign media.

The researchers also expressed hope that the Omicron variant, known for its relatively lower hospitalization and severe case rates, could reduce the impact of the Delta variant.

Through a small-scale study involving 33 participants, the team confirmed that neutralizing antibody levels against the Omicron variant increased 14-fold two weeks after infection, while neutralizing antibodies against the Delta variant also strengthened fourfold.

They particularly noted that Delta variant neutralization increased after Omicron infection in vaccinated individuals.

The researchers argued that if neutralizing immunity against the Delta variant rises in those infected with Omicron, the reinfection rate of Delta would eventually decrease, potentially reducing severe infections caused by Delta.

However, they added that these positive effects are only valid under the assumption that Omicron’s pathogenicity (its ability to cause disease) is lower than that of the Delta variant.

Sigal wrote on Twitter, "If Omicron’s pathogenicity is weaker than Delta’s, as observed in South Africa, Omicron could displace the Delta variant."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.