Prognosis
Omicron Mutations Signal Vaccine Evasion, But Similar Symptoms
- Lab studies provide scientists with hints about what’s to come
- Physical features of new pathogen offer clues on its effects
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As fears of another global surge of Covid-19 cases send jitters through global markets, spur a new round of travel bans and cause Americans to rethink their holiday plans, scientists studying the omicron variant are getting the first hints of what’s in store for the months to come.
The new variant’s mutations suggest that it is likely to evade the protections of vaccines to at least some extent, but that it is unlikely to cause more severe illness than previous versions of the coronavirus.