Study suggests past COVID-19 infection may not fend off omicron

By MIKE CORDER
Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — South African scientists are warning the new omicron variant may be causing more reinfections among COVID-19 survivors than earlier virus mutants.

A research group has been tracking reinfections in South Africa.

They spotted a jump with the arrival of omicron, saying the timing suggests “substantial” evidence that this mutant can escape the protection of a prior infection more than the extra-contagious delta variant.

The findings are preliminary, posted online before scientific review.

The study didn't examine the question of how much protection vaccines still offer.