The COVID-19 Omicron Variant and How to Stay Protected
Written by Meghan Sable, MPH&TM, Boost Oregon’s Central Oregon Program Manager
Fast Facts
Here are the most important things for you to know about the Omicron variant of COVID-19:
Currently, the majority of COVID-19 cases in the US and in Oregon are the Omicron variant.
The Omicron variant caused a major increase in case numbers because it spreads more easily from person to person, and it might be able to dodge the immune system better than other variants.
Unlike at the beginning of the pandemic, we have tools to help us control the impact of the Omicron variant. Vaccines are the best way to prevent infections and protect people from severe illness, hospitalization and death. Masks are also useful to protect ourselves from all variants. Tests give us the power of knowledge; they help us track how many infections there are at any given period of time.
People can start to show symptoms as early as two days after an exposure. The symptoms of the Omicron variant are not very different from other variants of COVID-19. If you develop a sore throat, stuffy nose, cough, fever, body aches, headache or a new loss of taste or smell, you should isolate yourself from others and get tested.
Can my child receive a COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes. It is recommended that everyone 5 years old and above receive a COVID-19 primary vaccine series. The Pfizer vaccine is now available for children ages 5 and up. Children who have completed a primary dose series are now eligible for a booster. Some children may also need an additional primary vaccine dose. Children ages 12 to 17 years old should receive a booster dose 5 months after their primary vaccination series. Currently, only the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for children ages 12 to 17 years old. Children ages 12 to 15 years old who received two doses of Pfizer vaccine at least 5 months ago, should get a Pfizer vaccine booster dose. Anyone who is at least 12 years old and received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for their primary vaccination series, should wait 5 months after their second dose before getting a booster dose. Children ages 5 to 11 years old who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should get a third primary dose of the Pfizer vaccine no sooner than 28 days after their second COVID vaccine dose. This same recommendation holds true for immunocompromised kids 12 years old and up, except this group is also recommended to get a booster dose 5 months after their third primary dose. Children ages 5 to 11 years old are not currently recommended to get a booster dose.
Why is it important to get vaccinated?
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 remains the most effective way to protect yourself, your family, and your community against COVID-19 and specifically, the Omicron variant. COVID-19 vaccines offer protection to those who are vaccinated from becoming severely ill, hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19. Being vaccinated also means that the people around you are better protected from getting severely ill. While it is still possible to develop COVID-19 even after being fully vaccinated (called a breakthrough case), vaccinated people spread the COVID-19 virus for a shorter period of time. It’s important to understand that even with vaccines that work very well, breakthrough cases can still occur and are not a sign the COVID-19 vaccines do not work. All three COVID-19 vaccines and boosters protect people from serious illness, hospitalization, and death. All available COVID-19 vaccines are free, and accessible to Oregonians everywhere. If you haven’t gotten a COVID-19 vaccine or a booster yet, now is the best time!
Important Takeaways
Vaccination is the greatest tool we have to protect ourselves, our families and communities from the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Everybody 5 years and older should be vaccinated. If you or your child is eligible for a booster, now is the time to get boosted to have the best protection possible. Though it is still possible to catch COVID-19 when you are vaccinated, vaccine immunity will better protect you from getting severely ill, being hospitalized, or possibly dying. Getting vaccinated is free, and you can find a clinic or community vaccination site at getvaccinated.oregon.gov (Oregon only) or https://www.vaccines.gov/search/. The more people who are vaccinated, the greater protection we all have.
Sources:
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/omicron-variant.html