“From the still partial data we have, Omicron BA.5 can probably already be estimated at 70% prevalence, with BA.4 being present to a lesser extent”. This was reported to beraking latest news Salute by Mauro Pistello, director of the virology unit of the university hospital of Pisa, vice president of the Italian Society of Microbiology and one of the founders of the sequencing network of the Higher Institute of Health (Iss). In the latest ISS flash survey, in Italy on June 7, the Omicron variant had an estimated prevalence of 100%, with the BA.2 sub-variant predominant and the BA.5 sub-variant at 23%.
“We also found two variants of BA.2 that are quite widespread in the US, the signal of the resumption of travel and the discontinuation of all containment measures”, highlights Pistello.
With the start of the vaccination campaign with the fourth dose for over 60 and the frail, can such a contagious variant create problems? “We will always be one step behind the virus – replies the virologist – As happened with HIV, we produce antibodies for each variant, but the virus has already changed. I remain of the idea that for the fourth dose perhaps it was better to wait for the vaccine updated. I believe that the decision was made in the wake of the emotionality of the sudden rise in cases in recent weeks “.