SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant facts for kids
The Omicron variant is a type of SARS-CoV-2. This is the virus that causes COVID-19. Scientists first reported it to the World Health Organization (WHO) from South Africa. This happened on November 24, 2021.
Just two days later, on November 26, 2021, the WHO named it "Omicron". They also called it a variant of concern. Omicron is the fifteenth letter in the Greek alphabet.
How Omicron Spreads and Affects People
The Omicron variant spreads very quickly. It multiplies about 70 times faster than the Delta variant. This rapid growth happens in the bronchi, which are tubes in your lungs.
Even though it spreads fast, studies show Omicron is often less severe. This means it causes less serious illness than other types of the virus. It seems to have a harder time getting deep into lung tissue.
Compared to the Delta variant, Omicron infections are much less deadly. They are 91 percent less likely to cause death. Also, there is a 51 percent lower chance of needing to go to the hospital.
Vaccines and Protection
Vaccines are very important for protection. They help prevent severe illness and hospital stays. This protection is especially strong after getting a third dose of an mRNA vaccine.
Early information showed that two vaccine doses offered good protection. They gave about 30 to 40 percent protection against getting infected. They also offered around 70 percent protection against needing hospital care.
A recent third vaccine dose makes this protection even better. It boosts effectiveness against infection to about 75 percent. For severe disease, it increases protection to 88 percent. This shows how important booster shots can be.
Images for kids
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This image shows the Omicron variant coronavirus in pink. It is growing inside a cell.
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See also
In Spanish: Variante ómicron del SARS-CoV-2 para niños
