The rise of a new and potentially dangerous COVID variant is a stark reminder of a problem we all know about: unequal access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Once again, countries are closing their borders, and pharma companies are ramping up their vaccine development pipelines, as a new, potentially dangerous, COVID-19 variant spreads around the world.
But, hiding in the background, there is a long-overdue and yet-to-be-solved problem: equal access to vaccines.
About the new variant
The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 variant, better known as the Omicron strain, is one of the latest COVID-19 strains classified as variant of concern by the World Health Organisation. The strain was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on 24 November 2021, and it was first detected in Botswana, a country where about 23% of the population is fully vaccinated. Estimates suggest that across the African continent, just 6% of the population is fully vaccinated.
The new strain carries a large number of mutations, about 50, 30 of which are occurring in the spike protein of the virus, a region involved with immune response to the virus. To learn more about these mutations, have a look at these 3d images showing where Omicron’s mutations occur. In a recent article for The Conversation, a team of experts explained that the number of mutations in this new variant is concerning.
“B.1.1.529 carries certain mutations that are concerning. They have not been observed in this combination before, and the spike protein alone has over 30 mutations. This is important, because the spike protein is what makes up most of the vaccines. We can also say that B.1.1.529 has a genetic profile very different from other circulating variants of interest and concern. It does not seem to be a “daughter of delta” or “grandson of beta” but rather represents a new lineage of SARS-CoV-2,” the authors wrote.
Where does it come from and where is it going?
According to Dr Norman Swan, ABC’s medical commentator, one of the theories explaining how this new strain emerged suggest that it emerged from a person who was severely immunocompromised. Previous research has shown evidence for this theory, where a patient infected with HIV endured a SARS-CoV-2 infection for more than six months, and in the process, produced high levels of SARS-CoV-2 virus, including mutated variants similar to those found in the Omicron variant. In a recent article, published in the journal Nature, a team of experts argue that the high rates of HIV in African countries could be driving the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, like Omicron.
“In short, it is plausible that a prolonged COVID-19 infection in someone who is immunocompromised could lead to the emergence of a variant that is more transmissible even than the Delta variant, or that renders current COVID-19 vaccines less effective,” the authors wrote.
At the time of writing this article, the Omicron strain has been reported in 23 countries, including Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ghana, Nigeria, Norway, Ireland, Canada, Sweden, the Czech Republic, the UK and Australia. For an updated map check this website.
While there are still a lot questions about the dangers posed by this variant, the emergence of Omicron is also a reminder of a long overdue problem.
The big elephant in the room
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, wealthy nations quickly signed contracts for vaccine supplies, and acquired more than enough jabs for their people. In many countries, Australia included, we are now talking about getting boosters.
But, while rich nations built their vaccine stock, a new gap was created between rich and poor nations. At the time, it was said that vaccine inequity would come back to bite us. And, now, Omicron may be what experts were warning us about.
According to Ellen ‘t Hoen, a senior researcher in the global health unit at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, the emergence of Omicron is a reminder of what we should have done.
“The emergence of the Omicron variant tells us what leaders have been saying but have failed to act upon: that no one is safe until we all are,” said Ellen ‘t Hoen, which works with drug makers to license medicines in low-income countries.
“Vaccine nationalism, hoarding of vaccines and the knowledge needed to produce them will perpetuate the situation. Companies are now working on adjusting vaccines so they become Omicron-specific. The destination of the first batches of these vaccines should be Africa. The IP waiver should be adopted but accompanied by commitments to also make tech transfer happen.”
For the time being, there are far more questions than answers. But, like with any other COVID-19 variant, the best approach we can take is to get vaccinated, and take all precautions possible to avoid infection.