Amira Roess, professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University’s College of Health and Human Services, Department of Global and Community Health, and Angela Chezem, MD, medical director, COVID Surveillance Program (Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management), offer advice to the Mason community on omicron variant safety over the winter holiday season.
Q: What is the omicron COVID-19 variant, and how quickly should we expect it to spread in the United States?
A: The omicron variant is a variant of the COVID-19 virus and has several mutations on the spike protein compared to the delta variant. This is of significance because the spike protein is what current vaccines and therapeutics target. These changes or mutations may have implications for effectiveness of current vaccines and therapeutics. In addition, these changes may also have implications for transmission.
Every day we will learn about new cases of the omicron variant in the United States and throughout the world. Typically, by the time we identify the first case of a variant there are dozens if not hundreds more that have not been identified. This is an artifact of our surveillance system and our testing strategy.
Q: Does Mason’s surveillance testing detect the omicron variant?
A: Yes, Mason’s test would be positive for COVID if someone had the omicron variant. We are not running omicron-specific testing at this time, but our PCR test would yield a positive result for COVID.
Q: What should people do differently over the winter holiday, in light of the new variant?
A: There is a lot that we need to learn and we are gathering information quickly. Over the next several days we will have more data about the transmissibility of this variant and the possible implications of this on disease spread, and vaccine and therapeutic effectiveness.
In the meantime, individuals should prioritize getting the vaccine and the booster if they are eligible, and should continue to wear masks in crowded indoor settings. The elderly and those with underlying conditions should continue to be vigilant in order to avoid infection. Additionally, immunocompromised individuals who received Moderna or Pfizer should get a third dose 28 days after they have finished their initial series.
If you are going to spend the holidays with individuals who are older or have multiple underlying conditions, then it's extremely important that you, and they, get vaccinated and get the booster in order to minimize the chance of transmission at holiday gatherings.
Q: Will Mason offer surveillance testing over the winter break?
A: Yes, Mason’s surveillance testing site will be open for two Mondays during winter break, on Dec. 20 and Dec. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon in Fenwick Library on the Fairfax Campus.
Mason’s vaccine site will be closed for two weeks during winter break (Dec. 20 – 31). The Mason community is encouraged to visit vaccinefinder.gov to locate clinics open during the winter break if you need a vaccine or booster. The Mason vaccine site will resume regular hours on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.
Q: The World Health Organization describes omicron as a “variant of concern.” What precautions can the Mason community take now for protection against this new variant?
A: The Mason community should continue to do what it has been doing. We have a very high vaccination rate and now we need to increase our booster rate. If you have symptoms make sure that you get tested and quarantine or isolate as appropriate. We need to continue to wear our masks especially in crowded indoor settings in order to protect ourselves and others. Remember that masks are effective in reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory microbes.
If you’re sick and tested negative for COVID, you should still wear a mask and avoid being around others.
Q: Should you cancel your holiday party and celebrations?
A: For now, we do not need to change our winter holiday plans. If you and all of those at your holiday gatherings have been vaccinated and have received a booster as appropriate, then you have truly done everything you can to significantly reduce the risk of infection.
The recommendations for travel are the same. Continue to wear masks when you are in indoor settings, especially in crowded settings, which includes on airplanes, buses, trains and in airports and shopping centers. If you have symptoms, avoid contact with others until you get tested.
Q: For those of us who are vaccinated, do our vaccines hold up against the omicron variant? What about boosters?
A: Preliminary data suggests that individuals who have been vaccinated have mild symptoms when infected with the omicron variant. This supports the recommendation that all eligible individuals really should get vaccinated and get the booster.
Q: All three U.S. vaccine manufacturers—Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson—are already conducting research to determine how their vaccines fare against omicron. When will the results be available?
A: These vaccine manufacturers have indicated that they may be able to produce a vaccine that is updated to respond to the omicron variant in about three months. This timeline will be updated as more information emerges.
Q: It seems like things are changing every day. Why and when can we expect to know more?
A: Each day we are identifying cases and investigating clusters. I suspect that in a week we'll have more information on the implications of the emergent variant on transmission dynamics, disease severity and vaccine effectiveness.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that our current vaccines do seem to protect against severe disease. While this may change in the future, it does not change the fact that the delta variant is still the dominant strain in the U.S., and the vaccines that we have are highly effective against severe disease, hospitalizations and deaths.
The information that is emerging suggests that the omicron variant is more transmissible than the delta variant. (If this turns out to be supported by further data analysis, then we can expect to see an increase in vaccine, booster and other mandates.)