Data indicate omicron is milder, better at evading vaccines

By ANDREW MELDRUM
Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The omicron variant is offering more hints about what it may have in store as it spreads around the globe: A highly transmissible virus that may cause less severe disease, and one that can be slowed — but not stopped — by today’s vaccines. An analysis Tuesday of data from South Africa suggests the Pfizer vaccine offers less defense against infection from omicron and reduced, but still good, protection from hospitalization. The findings are preliminary and have not been peer-reviewed, but they line up with other early data about omicron’s behavior, including that it seems to be more easily spread from person to person.