Health officials urge caution as new Omicron variants drive increase in COVID cases

The White House issued a blunt message to all Americans over age 50 on Tuesday: get vaccinated against COVID-19. 

"If you have not gotten a vaccine shot in the year 2022, go get one now. It could save your life," said Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator. 

The urgency is due to the explosive spread of the latest Omicron variants — BA.4 and BA.5 — now responsible for more than 80% of all new COVID cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.