ADVERTISEMENT
Omicron poses 'very high' global risk, countries must prepare: WHOThe UN agency, in technical advice to its 194 member states, urged them to accelerate vaccination of high-priority groups
Reuters
Last Updated IST
Further research is needed to better understand Omicron's potential to escape protection against immunity induced by vaccines, WHO said. Credit: AFP Photo
Further research is needed to better understand Omicron's potential to escape protection against immunity induced by vaccines, WHO said. Credit: AFP Photo

The Omicron variant is likely to spread internationally, posing a "very high" global risk where Covid-19 surges could have "severe consequences" in some areas, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday.

The UN agency, in technical advice to its 194 member states, urged them to accelerate vaccination of high-priority groups and to "ensure mitigation plans are in place" to maintain essential health services.

"Omicron has an unprecedented number of spike mutations, some of which are concerning for their potential impact on the trajectory of the pandemic," the WHO said. "The overall global risk related to the new variant of concern Omicron is assessed as very high."

ADVERTISEMENT

Further research is needed to better understand Omicron's potential to escape protection against immunity induced by vaccines and previous infections, it said, adding that more data was expected in coming weeks.

"Covid -19 cases and infections are expected in vaccinated persons, albeit in a small and predictable proportion", it added.

Check out DH's latest videos

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 29 November 2021, 13:38 IST)