Concerns are arising regarding the latest COVID-19 variant, Pirola, and its potential to escape vaccine protection upon its arrival in the United Kingdom. Pirola is believed to be responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases across Europe, including a recent increase among Britons.
Consequently, the government has accelerated the autumn booster program by one month, and some experts are advocating for the reintroduction of face masks in hospitals and GP surgeries to safeguard vulnerable populations.
Concerns Mount Over Pirola Variant's Vaccine Resistance Amid UK Surge; Here's What You Need To Know About This COVID-19 Strain
UK Records 36 Pirola Cases In Just 3 Weeks
The UK has identified over 30 cases of the Pirola COVID-19 omicron variant, with 36 confirmed cases by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), a significant increase from just three cases a week ago.
Most of these cases are concentrated in England, with 28 linked to an outbreak in a Norfolk care home, where 87 percent of residents were infected. Five individuals with Pirola infections have required hospitalization, but no deaths have been reported.
Experts believe Pirola is more transmissible than its predecessors but not necessarily more severe. Health officials are concerned about the variant's numerous mutations, which could potentially impact vaccine effectiveness and immunity. However, it will take some time to determine the variant's transmission rate, severity, and its ability to evade immunity.
The UKHSA is collaborating with global scientists to study the Pirola variant, advising local authorities to contain outbreaks. The agency accelerated its autumn vaccine drive due to concerns about Pirola, urging eligible individuals to get vaccinated.
While cases have been reported in England and Scotland, it remains unclear how widespread Pirola is across the UK, as mass testing has declined, making it difficult to ascertain the full extent of infection.
Facts About Pirola Variant
The Pirola COVID-19 variant, scientifically named BA.2.86, is a descendant of Omicron and carries 35 mutations in the spike protein, potentially affecting vaccine effectiveness.
Some mutations may help Pirola evade natural immunity, raising concerns about lower overall immunity levels and the possibility of another wave of infections. The variant has been detected in over a dozen countries, including the US, Denmark, South Africa, and Canada, causing global alarm among scientists.
Due to these concerns, the UK Department of Health and Social Care has expedited the autumn COVID and flu vaccination program. Originally scheduled for October, annual vaccinations for care home residents and vulnerable adults will now start from Monday, aiming to provide earlier protection against Pirola and reduce the risk of a new wave of infections.
The Pirola variant currently represents a small fraction of the circulating Covid-19 virus, with only a limited number of cases identified globally. Recent data has shown that Pirola has characteristics that make it less concerning than initially feared.
Studies have indicated that Pirola is less effective at invading and infecting cells compared to other omicron variants, and neutralizing antibodies from previous variants remain effective against Pirola.
This suggests that Pirola may be a weaker variant and is not expected to spread as easily as its predecessors, while vaccines remain effective against it. The experience with Pirola serves as a valuable lesson about the significance of real-world data in assessing the impact of new variants.
RELATED ARTICLE: Highly Mutated Variant of COVID-19 Virus Puts Scientists on Alert As They Scramble To Understand How Far It Has Spread
Check out more news and information on COVID-19 in Science Times.
