Omicron variant unlikely to reboot Covid in UK, expert says

Prof Sir Andrew Pollard cautiously optimistic that widely vaccinated population will avoid serious disease

• Coronavirus - latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

The Omicron Covid variant is unlikely to reboot" the pandemic in a population that has been widely vaccinated, according to a UK expert who voiced cautious optimism that existing vaccines would prevent serious disease.

Scientists have expressed alarm about the B.1.1.529 variant, first identified in Gauteng in South Africa, over its high number of mutations. Omicron has more than 30 mutations on its spike protein - more than double the number carried by the Delta variant.