“When infected with Omicron, the chances of developing a serious illness are significantly reduced” - Nana Gegechkori

Nana Gegechkori, a Georgian doctor living and working in the United States, writes on social networks about the rapid spread of a new strain of the Omicron coronavirus.

According to the doctor, Omicron quickly replaces all previous versions of the coronavirus.

As Gegechkori writes, "Omicron" is characterized by rapid spread and relatively easy flow compared to previous options.

“Any medical procedures, means of prevention, treatment or diagnosis are associated with certain risks. That is why, when using them, we are very careful about the ratio of these risks and the benefits of medical intervention.

Changes in coronavirus variants change the risk of infection, severe disease, and mortality. In addition, the benefits of vaccines vary depending on their susceptibility to each particular variant.

All existing research confirms that the effectiveness of widely used Covid vaccines against the new strain has dropped dramatically. “The chances of developing a serious disease when infected with Omicron are also significantly reduced, but not enough to call into question the need for protection for risk groups,” Gegechkori said.

“I want to share with you my personal thoughts in connection with the new reality. This will be my personal opinion and I do not claim to be the truth. Much wiser people than I are working on these issues all over the world, and I am sure that given the new reality, the Covid-19 vaccination strategy will probably also be re-evaluated.

Given the risks associated with vaccination (in this case, I primarily mean the risks of myocarditis in different age and sex groups), the Covid 19 vaccine brings the greatest benefit in the adult age group. Especially among those with comorbidities or any other risk factor associated with Covid-19 mortality. Vaccination in this category is undeniable and uncontested.

It is also undeniably necessary to vaccinate any age group of patients with high risk factors associated with mortality from Covid-19. This also applies to children.

In my opinion, given the new reality of Omicron, it is necessary to reconsider the strategy for vaccinating children and perfectly healthy young people.

The prophylactic benefit of vaccinating children without a risk factor may be modest given the reduced incidence and efficacy of the current Omicron vaccine.
If we talk about the facts of myocarditis, then myocarditis associated with Covid vaccines is not characterized by a malignant course, it is very easy to manage with a simple medical intervention, but undoubtedly this is a factor to be considered when weighing the risk and benefit,” - said Nana Gegechkori .

Nana Gegechkori urges the population, and especially parents, to use all necessary preventive measures.

“All the studies published so far appear to be robust in terms of the safety profile of Covid vaccines in children, but since the efficacy in Omicron cases is not the same as in previous studies, I think the level of risk needs to be reassessed, especially in the pediatric age group.

We need to be as careful as possible in protecting our little ones from getting covid. If adults strictly follow the rules, we will no longer need mass vaccination of children. At the present time, mainly due to our recklessness, we have to cover all age groups with vaccinations as much as possible. The benefits for risk groups and the elderly are undeniable, but for children and perfectly healthy young people, it raises certain questions.

As adults, we are responsible for solving the problems of every child who may experience dangerous side effects", - Nana Gegechkori writes.