Imperial College London Study
"Omicron New Variant Replicates Much Better in Lungs"
A study has found that the Omicron variant virus does not produce enough antibodies in infected individuals to protect against reinfection by Omicron subvariants. /Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A study has found that the Omicron variant virus does not produce sufficient antibodies in infected individuals to protect against reinfection by Omicron subvariants.
On the 14th (local time), according to foreign media such as the British daily The Guardian and Sky News, researchers at Imperial College London (ICL) published a paper in the scientific journal 'Science' stating that natural infection with Omicron does not trigger a strong immune response.
The immune response was found to be weak not only in antibodies but also in immune cells called 'T-cells'.
Professor Rosemary Boyton, who led the study, said, "Omicron infection did not enhance immunity enough to prevent future reinfection with Omicron."
Furthermore, the study reported that even people who received a total of three COVID-19 vaccine doses, including a booster shot, did not gain additional immune enhancement from natural Omicron infection.
The Guardian stated, "The study helps explain why infection levels remain high in countries like the UK despite many people already having been infected with COVID-19."
The study suggests that with the rapid spread of Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 worldwide, the number of COVID-19 reinfections may surge.
People are lined up outside a hospital in London, England, to receive the COVID-19 booster shot. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
Earlier, the UK health authorities designated the BA.4 and BA.5 variants as 'variants of concern' on the 20th of last month and are closely analyzing their transmission and impact.
Recently, infections have been increasing in England and Northern Ireland due to these two variants, and subvariants of BA.5, such as BA.5.1, as well as BA.2.12.1, which has become dominant in the United States, are spreading throughout the UK.
The Guardian also cited another recent study, pointing out that the currently circulating Omicron subvariants may attack the lungs more easily than previous viruses, potentially increasing public health risks.
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