A new FHI study indicates a reduced risk of hospitalization with the omicron variant. The study also shows a slightly weaker protective effect against hospitalization with up to two doses of vaccine when comparing omicron infection with delta.
Scientists at the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) found that reported omicron cases were associated with a 73% lower risk of hospitalization compared to reported delta cases.
In addition, preliminary data on the length of hospital stay and the risk of admission to the intensive care unit indicate a milder course of the disease among patients with omicron. However, these findings still need to be interpreted with some caution. This is because the findings so far are based on a small group of hospitalized omicron patients.
'The findings increase knowledge and show that people infected with omicron have a lower risk of serious disease than with the delta variant. This is in line with the results presented in reports from many other countries, says Line Vold's department director.
Vaccination effect
Vaccinations further reduce the risk of admission to hospital. However, in a subgroup analysis, the researchers found that 1-2 doses of the vaccine resulted in slightly less reduction in omicron infection compared to delta. On the other hand, the reduction in the risk of hospitalization was equally high for omicron (86%) and delta infection (88%) among those who received three doses of the vaccine compared to unvaccinated subjects.
- The lower risk of hospitalization associated with the omicron does not necessarily mean that we expect a lower burden on the hospital sector. It should also be taken into account that omicron is more contagious than delta. The vaccine effect appears to be weaker with the omicron, emphasizes Vold.
"The results show that it's important for people to continue to take the vaccine, whether it's the first, second or third dose," he adds.
The study is based on 39 omicron cases (524 hospitalized) and 91 delta cases (51 hospitalized) that tested positive between December 481, 552 and January 6, 2021. The analyzes are based on data from central offices national health registers, national clinical registers and national registers in Norway.
Source: FHI
Read our next article: The fraudsters emptied the bank accounts for 600 kronor.
