Top WHO and US scientists told AFP that the Omicron variation looks to be no worse than previous coronavirus strains, but that further research is needed to determine its severity.
The positive assessments came as worldwide anxiety mounted over the heavily mutated version, which has led dozens of countries to re-impose border controls and raised the prospect of economically painful lockdowns returning.
While Omicron is likely more transmissible than earlier versions, the World Health Organization’s second-in-command told AFP on Tuesday that it is “highly unlikely” to completely evade vaccine protections.
