SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest

SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest (or variants of concern) are evolutionary offshoots in the SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetic tree that are at least temporarily evolutionarily stable due to outcompeting other strains in their immediate geography.

The Greek alphabet is being used to name SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest.

https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/28/7/taab124/6346388

The omicron* strain of SARS-CoV-2 was first identified in South Africa.

The first four cases of COVID-19 resulting from the Omicron variant in Botswana were reported to be in vaccinated individuals.

Geert Vanden Bossche predicts omicron will infect those with prior immunity from asymptomatic infections.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2021-11-26/who-meeting-amidst-rise-nu-variant-underscores-failed-vaccination-strategy

Pulliam et al, 2021 claims increased risk of reinfection associated with Omicron in South Africa. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.11.11.21266068v2.full.pdf

Find discussions on both sides.

An Emergency Room doctor told financial YouTuber Gregory Mannarino on air that he believes “all variants are likely caused by the vaccine.”¹⁾

Niesen et al: vaccination dampens antigen mutational variance https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.01.21259833v1

Wang et al: Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 evolution revealing vaccine-resistant mutations in Europe and America. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34873910/