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If the Omicron variant worries so much, it is because of its record number of mutations. On the plateau of JT from France 3, Frédérique Prabonnaud make the point.
Mutations of the Omicron variant occur mainly on the protein Spike, a crucial part of the virus. “These are the red spicules on the surface of the virus, they are the key to entering our body, and the target of vaccines”, explains journalist Frédérique Prabonnaud for the 19/20. On a photo published by a hospital in Rome, we can see that the zones of mutations of the Omicron variant are much more numerous than those visible on the Delta variant.
However, there is for the moment very little certainty on a contagiousness or a dangerousness superior to the other variants. Regarding the efficacy of the current vaccine against this new variant, Frédérique Prabonnaud responds by taking the Delta variant as an illustration: “When the Delta variant appeared, the vaccines were a little less effective, but continued to protect us. Researchers are doing the same studies for Omicron, but it will take them two or three weeks to respond ”, she explains.