By Gina DiPietro, Novant Health Healthy Headlines
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COVID cases are expected to “skyrocket” as the omicron variant continues its rapid spread – and unvaccinated individuals are at highest risk of severe illness, said Dr. David Priest, Novant Health chief, safety, quality and epidemiology officer.
The new variant accounts for 73% of new COVID cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And that’s estimated to be even higher in North Carolina.
Dr. David Priest
“We know that omicron is 2 to 3 times more contagious than the delta variant, and up to 6 times more contagious than the original strains of COVID,” Priest said. “In general, someone with omicron is likely to infect 3 to 5 people around them, which explains the incredibly quick movement of this variant,” he added.
While omicron is more transmissible than earlier variants, Priest cautioned against giving too much weight to anecdotal evidence about whether or not it results in a milder case of COVID. “We don’t know that definitively just yet. It’s still too early to tell,” he said.
There is also concern that some treatments for COVID will not be as effective with the new variant. A monoclonal antibody treatment known as sotrovimab is the only one holding up against omicron, Priest said, and supply is limited in the U.S.
“For those who think, ‘Well if I get COVID, I’ll just get that monoclonal antibody treatment and have a less severe case.’ But there’s no guarantee that product will be available to you – if or when you need it,” he said.
The bottom line: Don’t wait to get vaccinated or receive a booster. Data has shown that three doses of Pfizer’s or Moderna’s vaccine gives a “significant boost in protection against omicron. It’s not 100%, but like I’ve said, nothing in medicine is,” Priest said.
As always, people are encouraged to wear a mask, social distance and practice good hand hygiene. This is especially important as we approach a busy holiday season with people traveling and more exposure to our most vulnerable family members.
There’s still more to be learned about omicron, but Priest shared what else to consider now.
What makes omicron different?
The omicron variant has “raised some alarm bells” because of the number of mutations it has – particularly related to its spike protein. A spike protein is the part of the virus that allows it to interact with human cells, and what the vaccines train the body to recognize and attack.
“When changes are noted in the spike protein of a new variant, it raises concerns among physicians and scientists. We need to understand if these mutations impact how the virus behaves, because it could affect our immune system’s ability to fight it,” Priest said.
COVID symptoms like fever, chills, loss of smell or taste and shortness of breath are expected to be similar with omicron. But experts will know more in the coming weeks.
“Understanding how the variant is behaving will help inform what, if any, adjustments should be made to our vaccine strategy,” he added.
Will manufacturers develop new COVID vaccines?
Priest noted the current vaccines, particularly Moderna and Pfizer, remain “incredibly effective” in preventing hospitalization and death. That’s true both nationally and around the world. Nations with high vaccination rates like Ireland and Portugal have lower death rates, while countries with fewer people vaccinated such as Romania and Bulgaria have the highest death rates.
“It shows that having a vigorous immune response to earlier strains, like delta, can protect against newer ones,” Priest said. With that being said, vaccine manufacturers said they’re prepared to reformulate their mRNA vaccines.
Here’s why: Scientists can find the genetic code that targets a very specific spike protein. Then, design their vaccine to make a spike protein that looks like that. Think of it as an instruction manual that allows your immune system to fight off a virus.
“Pfizer said it would take 100 days to get an updated vaccine developed. This speaks to the way mRNA technology works and how quickly adjustments can be made compared to traditional vaccine technologies. So, I think they’re smart to be prepared,” Priest said.
Should I wait to get vaccinated until then?
No. Getting any approved COVID vaccine now is better than waiting. That goes for your first vaccination or a booster dose, which is now recommended to anyone 16 and older.
Booster-eligible adults can get the extra shot six months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or two months after the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. It’s most strongly recommended for people 65 and older and anyone who is “profoundly immunosuppressed,” Priest said.
And 16- and 17-year-olds are also eligible to receive a Pfizer booster at least six months after the second dose in their initial Pfizer vaccine series. And the CDC says they “should.”
Can I travel?
It’s safest to travel if you’ve been fully vaccinated, you’re masking in public and when you’re going somewhere with a group of people who are doing the same thing.
“As far as international travel, that’s been halted in a lot of places – at least temporarily until we get a better sense of what’s happening,” Priest said.
What else can I do to protect myself – and my family – over the holidays?
If you have a child who is five or older, they are eligible for a COVID vaccine. Make sure they get it, doctors say. Vaccination protects the child, siblings who are too young to get one and our most vulnerable family members.
Other common-sense recommendations include:
– Wash your hands often.
– Sanitize surfaces that many people touch.
– Social distance and avoided crowds, when possible.
– Always mask if you’re in public, especially in indoor places like an airplane, bus or grocery store.
– Get your flu shot if you haven’t already. It can be given at the same time as a COVID vaccine
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