3 ms·

So far evidence indicates, and I'm hoping this is true, that it's about 1/3rd as severe as Delta. South Africa (25% vaccinated?) reports much fewer people going

So far evidence indicates, and I'm hoping this is true, that it's about 1/3rd as severe as Delta. South Africa (25% vaccinated?) reports much fewer people going on ventilators or even going to the hospital. Not sure what a booster shot is going to do for you unless you're particularly vulnerable.

mmsimanga 5y ago
Just to add far less people have been vaccinated in South Africa. I have heard figures between 25% and 40% at the most optimistic. Booster shots only recently approved. Omicron impact seems way less severe than in the first 3 waves we had. Government hasn't instituted any new restrictions. We still ware masks everywhere but that's about it. It is still early days but some anecdotal articles from front-line care workers indicate it is milder [0]. [0]https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/omicron-symptoms-far-milder-netcare-ceo-says/ https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/omicron-...
- fsh 5y ago
  Before Omicron, South Africa had COVID under control with very little measures and a low vaccination rate. The only reasonable explanation is that a large fraction of the population has already been infected and acquired immunity that way. This means that data from South Africa is probably not a good measure for how dangerous Omicron is for people without prior immunity.
  - mmsimanga 5y ago
    Yes you are right. Figures of as many as 80%[1] of the population probably has had Covid have the quoted for a while now. So guess the question the SA government has to ask themselves is do they go ahead with the booster shots. For now Covid restrictions are at their lowest since the initial lock down in 2020. I suppose we will know in another month or two when there is enough data. [1]https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news-fast-news/deaths-data-shows-80-of-south-africans-may-have-had-covid/ https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news-fast-news/deaths-data-shows-...
neilwilson 5y ago
It does seem to help. Reasonable initial data [0] suggests that if you are over 60 then getting a Pfizer booster does appear to assist. "The executive summary is that I did find some good evidence, and it has encouraged me to book a third dose." [0] https://dailysceptic.org/measuring-vaccine-usefulness-without-reference-to-unvaccinated-case-rates/ https://dailysceptic.org/measuring-vaccine-usefulness-withou...
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]

mmsimanga 5y ago

Just to add far less people have been vaccinated in South Africa. I have heard figures between 25% and 40% at the most optimistic. Booster shots only recently approved. Omicron impact seems way less severe than in the first 3 waves we had. Government hasn't instituted any new restrictions. We still ware masks everywhere but that's about it. It is still early days but some anecdotal articles from front-line care workers indicate it is milder [0]. [0]https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/omicron-symptoms-far-milder-netcare-ceo-says/ https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/omicron-...

fsh 5y ago
Before Omicron, South Africa had COVID under control with very little measures and a low vaccination rate. The only reasonable explanation is that a large fraction of the population has already been infected and acquired immunity that way. This means that data from South Africa is probably not a good measure for how dangerous Omicron is for people without prior immunity.
- mmsimanga 5y ago
  Yes you are right. Figures of as many as 80%[1] of the population probably has had Covid have the quoted for a while now. So guess the question the SA government has to ask themselves is do they go ahead with the booster shots. For now Covid restrictions are at their lowest since the initial lock down in 2020. I suppose we will know in another month or two when there is enough data. [1]https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news-fast-news/deaths-data-shows-80-of-south-africans-may-have-had-covid/ https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news-fast-news/deaths-data-shows-...

neilwilson 5y ago

It does seem to help. Reasonable initial data [0] suggests that if you are over 60 then getting a Pfizer booster does appear to assist. "The executive summary is that I did find some good evidence, and it has encouraged me to book a third dose." [0] https://dailysceptic.org/measuring-vaccine-usefulness-without-reference-to-unvaccinated-case-rates/ https://dailysceptic.org/measuring-vaccine-usefulness-withou...

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]