As the new COVID variant Omicron races around the globe, there is some concern over the efficacy of the vaccines against the highly contagious new strain, but Dr. Fauci said studies show that “At this point there is no need for a variant-specific booster.”
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said the omicron variant has now been reported in at least 36 states and 75 countries. Asked about recommendations for the holidays, she said Americans must be vigilant about masking in public and indoor settings in areas of high public transmission – now seen in about 90% of counties.
Remember, the latest data shows unvaccinated Americans are eight times more likely to be hospitalized due to the coronavirus and 14 times more likely to die than vaccinated people.