Examine, a weekly newsletter covering the latest developments in science, is sent every Tuesday. Below is an excerpt –When Omicron ripped through several Australian states over summer, many of us suffered the consequences. We might have picked up the virus at a Christmas lunch or a New Year’s party – we isolated, got better and then after a few weeks got a booster shot.
Although the federal government does not collect data on COVID reinfections, and nor do health authorities in WA and Queensland, Victoria recorded almost 10,000 reinfections between late December 2021 and late March 2022. This compares with just 108 known reinfections in Victoria during the previous two years. NSW plans to release state reinfection data soon.
Current vaccines were designed to protect against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, and while the shots are crucial in shielding us from severe illness and death, they are less effective in preventing infection by newer variants. We learnt this with the rise of Omicron in South Africa late last year, when a population with relatively high natural immunity from previous coronavirus infections still fell victim to the merciless Omicron wave.
Had it twice second time was very mild. Natural immunity. In and out of hospital for last 2 months not a sniffle. It's a flu. Mandates need to go.. politicians have milked it enough. If your scared of a cold keep doing what the government has made u do. Australia moving on.