A new COVID-19 variant was identified last week in South Africa and cases of this new variant have also been identified in 14 other countries. On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified this variant, B.1.1.529, as a variant of concern (VOC). The variant was named Omicron and has been demonstrated to be associated with one or more of the following changes:
- Increased transmissibility.
- Increase in virulence or change in clinical presentation of the disease.
- Decrease in effectiveness of public health and social preventative measures.
This variant is a cause for concern but not a cause for panic. We have more tools to fight the variant today than ever before. The best protection against this new variant, or any variant of COVID-19, is to get fully vaccinated and get a booster shot. If you are not vaccinated, now is the time to get vaccinated and to take your child to get vaccinated. Anyone ages 5 and older can get a free, safe, and effective vaccine now. If you are 18 and older and it has been at least six months since your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or at least two months since you got your Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, getting your booster shot will provide the best protection from COVID-19, including this new variant.
Vaccines reduce a virus’s ability to infect people. Vaccines provide protection against COVID-19 variants since many of the characteristics of the virus remain the same. The sooner people get vaccinated against COVID-19, the less opportunity we give the virus to keep mutating. To find a COVID-19 vaccine provider in your community, visit Vaccines.gov, or call 211 or 877-947-2211.
DHS also urges all Wisconsinites to take a layered approach to help slow the spread of COVID-19. People should continue to wear masks, avoid large gatherings, maintain good hand hygiene, and get vaccinated.