Two new studies released this week have suggested that the T cell response generated by vaccination or from previous COVID-19 infection may provide sufficient protection against the Omicron variant of the virus. T cells are a type of white blood cell that is an essential part of the adaptive immune system. They work to eliminate infected cells and also play a vital role in modulating the severity of COVID-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2, in individuals. The first study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, was conducted by researchers across the United States and South Africa, where Omicron was first discovered last month. “The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has multiple Spike (S) protein mutations that contribute to escape from the neutralizing antibody responses, and reducing vaccine protection from infection,” researchers noted. “The extent to which other components of the adaptive response such as T cells may still target Omicron and contribute to protection from severe …