The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday that the omicron version of COVID-19 spreads faster than the delta version, causing less severe symptoms and making vaccines less effective.

Omicron’s genetic profile, along with the limited data available, suggests a “lack of effectiveness” with respect to protection against “infection and transmission,” explained the organization in a technical update. , while confirming the statements of its officials in recent days.

For their part, Pfizer and BioNTech Laboratories – which have developed the Cominarti vaccine, one of the most effective against Covid so far – assured late last week that it will work against Omicron even after three doses “right now”. was also effective”.

In addition, Omicron appears to spread faster than the delta variant, which still accounts for the majority of infections in the world. This rapid spread is seen not only in South Africa, where the delta was less prevalent, but also in the United Kingdom, where this variant dominates.

WHO does not yet know – for lack of sufficient data – whether this high rate of prevalence in populations with high immunity is due to the fact that Omicron “escapes immunity, benefits from the inherent high transmittance, or ‘it’ both.” is a combination of ‘.

However, the organization predicts that “Omicron may outperform Delta in places where community transmission occurs.”

The data are not yet sufficient to establish the degree of severity of the disease caused by Omicron, although at present the symptoms appear to be “mild to moderate” in southern Africa, where it has been detected, as well as in southern Africa. . Where it is detected.In Europe.