If you’re someone who has previously been infected with the SARs-COV-2 virus, you can certainly expect to have developed a certain level of immunity against the deadly virus. This is known as natural immunity.
Given that the Omicron variant has been spreading like wildfire, experts believe that many will be infected during this wave. But while most cases have been reported as ‘mild’, some doctors and virologists claim that it could lead to widespread immunity and that the new variant could act as a ‘natural vaccine’.
Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, recently backed the idea of Omicron becoming nature’s own vaccine. He said that much like the flu, Omicron does not pose any dangers to healthy and fit people. Emphasizing on the risks involved, he said that contracting the Omicron could boost the immunity without causing a serious illness.
Similarly, in an interview with the PTI, Dr Pradeep Awate, state surveillance officer, said, “We hope this trend continues. If this happens, Omicron will act as a natural vaccination and may help in its (COVID-19) progression towards an endemic stage.”
“During the second wave, the state reported around 60,000 deaths in two months of April and May. Then, cases started declining again. However, if you look at the figures now, the numbers have started increasing again,” he added.
But while more data is awaited, the debate around the same continues.
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