Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know
Published: 12/28/21
Omicron in the United States
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) is working with state and local public health officials to monitor the spread of Omicron.
As of December 20, 2021, Omicron has been detected in most states and
territories and is rapidly increasing the proportion of COVID-19 cases
it is causing.
What We Know about Omicron
CDC has been collaborating with global public health and industry
partners to learn about Omicron. We don’t yet know how easily it spreads, the severity of illness it
causes, or how well available vaccines and medications work against it.
Spread
The Omicron variant likely will spread more easily than the original
SARS-CoV-2 virus and how easily Omicron spreads compared to Delta
remains unknown. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can
spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have
symptoms.
Severe Illness
More data are needed to know if Omicron infections, and especially
reinfections and breakthrough infections in people who are fully
vaccinated, cause more severe illness or death than infection with other
variants.
Vaccines
Vaccines
remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19,
slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.
Read more from the CDC.