By Tim Cocks

JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – Two sublineages of Omicron coronavirus can avoid antibodies from an earlier outbreak and trigger a new wave of infection. However, they are less able than the COVID-19-vaccinated population to survive in their blood, South African scientists discovered.

Scientists from several institutions examined Omicron’s BA.4- and BA.5 sublinesages. This was added by the World Health Organization to their monitoring list last month. The scientists collected blood samples from 39 people who had been infected with Omicron since it appeared at the beginning of this year.

Fiveteen people were vaccinated, eight of which had been vaccinated. Pfizer (NYSE:)’s shot; seven with J&J (NYSE:)’s — while the other 24 were not.

According to the pre-print, the vaccined group demonstrated a 5 fold higher level of neutralization ability… so should we be more protected.” The research was made public over the weekend.

The unvaccinated sample showed a nearly eightfold drop in antibody production after being exposed to BA.4 or BA.5. This was compared to the original BA.1 lineage. A threefold drop in antibody production was observed in blood taken from people who had been vaccinated.

Scientists and officials in South Africa said Friday that the country may enter a fifth COVID cycle earlier than they expected. This is due to a continued rise of infections caused by Omicron and BA.4 Omicron subvariants.

About 30% of South Africa’s 60 million population is currently fully vaccinated.

According to the study, “Based on neutralisation escape BA.4 or BA.5 could lead to a new infected wave.”