"Omicron Spread Due to Higher Immune Evasion Than Delta" ... Denmark Study Results

"Omicron's Increased Infectivity Not Due to Transmission but Immune Evasion"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A study has found that the COVID-19 Omicron variant has stronger immune evasion than the Delta variant. In other words, Omicron is more likely to neutralize vaccines.

According to Fox News and others on the 3rd (local time), a survey conducted last month by the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and the National Serum Institute (SSI) under the Ministry of Health, targeting about 12,000 households, showed that the Omicron variant has stronger immune evasion than the Delta variant.

The infectivity of a virus is usually determined by factors such as the time it remains in the air, its ability to attach to cells, and its ability to evade the body's immune system. The study found that among vaccinated Danes, the Omicron variant was 2.7 to 3.7 times more infectious than the Delta variant.

For unvaccinated individuals, Omicron had a secondary infection rate 1.17 times higher than Delta. Among vaccinated individuals, Omicron caused 2.61 times more secondary infections than Delta, and for those who received a booster shot (additional vaccination), the secondary infection possibility of Omicron was 3.66 times higher than Delta.

The researchers explained, "These results show that the spread of Omicron is due to its high immune evasion rather than an increase in the virus's basic transmissibility." This study has not yet undergone peer review.

Previously, the Imperial College London COVID-19 response team also announced that Omicron has greater immune evasion. In that study, Omicron was 5.41 times more likely to reinfect people with immunity than Delta.

Meanwhile, in Denmark, 78% of the entire population has completed the second dose of vaccination, and among them, 48% have received a booster shot. This situation is similar to South Korea, where 83% have completed vaccination and 36% have received a booster shot.

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