Published online Jan 7, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i1.1
Peer-review started: December 8, 2021
First decision: December 13, 2021
Revised: December 16, 2021
Accepted: December 24, 2021
Article in press: December 24, 2021
Published online: January 7, 2022
Processing time: 21 Days and 17.7 Hours
The appearance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) has caused panic responses around the world because of its high transmission rate and number of mutations. This review summarizes the highly mutated regions, the essential infectivity, transmission, vaccine breakthrough and antibody resistance of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. The Omicron is highly transmissible and is spreading faster than any previous variant, but may cause less severe symptoms than previous variants. The Omicron is able to escape the immune system’s defenses and coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines are less effective against the Omicron variant. Early careful preventive steps including vaccination will always be key for the suppression of the Omicron variant.
Core Tip: The Omicron variant is highly transmissible and is spreading faster than any previous variant, but causes less severe symptoms than previous variants. The Omicron is able to escape the immune system’s defenses and coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines are less effective against the Omicron variant. Early careful preventive steps including vaccination will be the key to the suppression of the Omicron variant.