Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/PiQlANr73wY

 

The Omicron variant was first identified in South Africa and and is fast becoming most prevalent form of CoVid there.  Discovery Health, South Africa’s largest private health insurance now releases detailed information from 3.7 million participants and 211,000 CoVid test results during the first 3 weeks of their Omicron surge.

 

Here is what we know from their data:

• The 2-dose Pfizer vaccination is only 33% effective in preventing any Omicron infection compared with 80% effectiveness against earlier variants.
• The 2-dose Pfizer vaccination is 70% effective in preventing any Omicron hospitalization compared with 93% effectiveness against earlier variants.
• Vaccination protection against hospitalization similar for those 18 through 59 years, lower at 67% for those 60-69, and 60% for those 70-79.
• Vaccination protection against hospitalization similar for those with complicating medical conditions including diabetes and cardiovascular issues.
• Good News: 
• • Omicron is 29% less likely to drive hospitalization in adults than the initial strain of CoVid.
  • Children 51% less likely than adults to test positive for Omicron.
  • Omicron disease is less severe in children than in adults. 
• Bad news
• • Omicron is 20% more likely to drive a hospitalization in children than the initial strain of CoVid.
  • The risk of a CoVid reinfection due to Omicron is higher than for previous variants: 73% higher for those previously infected with original strain; 60% higher for those infected with beta variant; 40% higher for those infected with Delta variant.

 

https://www.discovery.co.za/corporate/news-room

 

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