Since its first detection in California, the COVID-19 variant known as Omicron has spread across the U.S. from corner to corner. Preliminary data on the variant from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that Omicron may be more transmissible than Delta, however it has been leading to less severe illness. The CDC has not been able to confirm the transmissibility of the variant yet, as researchers continue scrambling for information.

According to the CDC’s Omicron tracker, the variant has so far caused infections in 23 states, including Massachusetts. The quick emergence has health officials urging residents yet again to get fully vaccinated, as the existing vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, possibly leading to hospitalization and death, caused by Omicron. The CDC is also now advising that all vaccinated adults 18 and over get their booster shot to protect themselves even further. 

Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has stated that all residents ages 16 and 17 may now receive the Pfizer COVID-19 booster if they are at least six months past their second round injection. In the short time since the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for children under 18, around 91% of Massachusetts residents ages five and older have received at least one dose. 

Despite the quick spread of Omicron, Delta still remains the top source of Covid infections in the U.S. at 99.9% of all new cases. Vaccine manufacturers are aiming to make quick adjustments to better target it and the Omicron variant in new doses, however the process can still take months from start to final approval.

U.S. travel bans from African countries are still in place, despite Omicron being detected in countries across Europe as well. The eight African countries with bans in place are South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci has expressed his hope that the restrictions will soon be lifted, and praised South Africa for its work during his State of the Union interview on CNN.