People Who Overcame COVID-19 Find Omicron Easier to Manage, Russian Virologists Say

Group-specific immunity, which develops after exposure to several variants of the coronavirus, may protect against infection with the new Omicron strain. This opinion was expressed by virologists Alexander Butenko and Pyotr Chumakov.

“The combination of different genotypes of the virus creates group-specific collective immunity in humans. That is, it provides immunity that can safeguard against various genotypes,” Butenko stated in an interview with Ura.ru.

According to him, immunity developed through multiple exposures to different variants of the coronavirus, combined with vaccination, can ensure collective protection against the virus.

Chumakov noted that significant changes in the S-protein of the Omicron strain due to mutations help the virus “evade” antibodies formed after vaccination. “However, besides the S-protein, there are a whole series of other antigens, and when a person overcomes the disease, antibodies to all these antigens are formed. Therefore, when they come into contact with Omicron, they are already protected because the other antigens begin to function. This is group-specific immunity. It pertains to the entire range of antigens present in the coronavirus,” Chumakov added.

It should be recalled that the new B.1.1.529 variant was identified in Botswana and South Africa at the end of November. As a result of mutations, many experts believe that the new variant transmits more rapidly and is more resistant to protective antibodies in both recovered and vaccinated individuals.