Get the jab
Both Prof. Spector and Dr. Casadevall stressed that vaccination is the best way to avoid getting seriously ill from COVID-19 — regardless of the variant.
“This will hit the unvaccinated more,” emphasized Prof. Spector.
StudiesTrusted Source from Israel and the United Kingdom suggest that booster campaigns are decreasing the virus’s reproduction and associated hospitalizations.
Increasing vaccination should slow the pandemic, even in the face of the new variant.
Dr. Casadevall remains optimistic about the protection from current vaccines: “I believe that when it comes to this coronavirus, some immunity is better than no immunity. The vaccinated will have some protection against Omicron, and this protection will continue to reduce symptoms and mortality in those affected.”
Vaccination not only prevents serious illness and death. As Prof. Spector added: “Evidence from Delta [variant outbreaks] says the vaccine helps prevent long COVID. I think this will be the case with Omicron [as well].”
He continued: “Delta is still affecting 1 in 60 [people] in the U.K., and Omicron will spread very fast. People need to act sensibly.”
Dr. Casadevall reiterated this message: “Vaccines continue to be our best bet against Omicron, and people should be vaccinated and boosted.”
|