Fauci Says Omicron Likely More Contagious So Get Vaccinated
NDTV
Omicron "is a clarion call" for people to be vaccinated, said Anthony Fauci, US President Joe Biden's top medical adviser.
COVID-19's Omicron variant appears to be more transmissible, reinforcing the need for Americans to get vaccinations or booster shots, US health officials said.
Omicron "is a clarion call" for people to be vaccinated, Anthony Fauci, who is President Joe Biden's top medical adviser, said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Infections in the US are already rising and stepped-up prevention with the emergence of the new variant will impact whether Americans are "headed into a bleak or bleaker winter," he said.
Biden last week restricted US travel links starting Monday with eight African countries including South Africa, where Omicron was first identified. After Biden was briefed by his Covid response team and Fauci on Sunday, the White House said the president will provide an update on the US response to Omicron on Monday.
Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said "there's no reason to panic, but ... a great reason to go get boosted" with the discovery of Omicron last week in South Africa. Existing vaccines have worked against mutations and may again now, he said on "Fox News Sunday."
