Variant Omicron Italy, Abrignani: “We will have peak infections”

“The Omicron variant is explosive. If we do not put the vaccination obligation now, when? It is probable that the increase in infections in Italy is already due to the new variant. We know that we will have significant peaks in infections”. Professor Sergio Abrignani, immunologist member of the CTS, thus expresses himself on the picture of the covid epidemic in Italy while the Omicron variant appears destined to spread further. Over 30,000 new cases were registered yesterday. “I wonder: if we do not consider the vaccination obligation for such a devastating and pandemic disease, what should we wait? If we do not put the vaccination obligation in this case, when should we put it?”. “It is probable that the increase in infections is already due to the Omicron variant. I do not think it can be the Delta variant that does all this. I believe that from the next surveys we will see a significant presence of Omicron”, says Abrignani in connection with Agora. “We know that we will have significant peaks in infections, we will have a burden on hospital admissions but from what we see in Great Britain we should not have a peak of severe infections. It is a much more widespread variant. When it starts, it leaves. In England, we see a impressive number of homes: it will also happen to us “, continues the immunologist.” The disease caused seems comparable to that of the Delta, the difference is that we are vaccinated. Omicron finds a population that is widely vaccinated: with two doses, protection from infection drops 30-40% but that from severe disease remains very high. The third dose is able to bring protection from infection back to higher levels, “he notes. Teenagers too” will do so. za dose asap. It is not surprising. In the world of vaccines, the 3 doses are the rule “, he explains anticipating how the vaccination campaign will develop.