![]() Now, omicron is one thing, but delta here in the U.S. ![]() The company has said it's about 30% effective at preventing serious illness or death in people with COVID. And FDA advisers will meet today to discuss Merck's new COVID pill. There are treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies, for people infected with COVID. I mean, 74% of eligible people are vaccinated with at least one shot. And you know, as a country, we are in better shape than a year ago. That had already been the recommendation for people 50 and up. Now they're saying everyone should get a booster just to emphasize the importance of protection against the virus. The CDC had previously said everyone 18 and up may get boosters. Will this help protect Americans against omicron?ĪUBREY: You know, I think that that's the hope. Now, speaking of boosters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention toughened its position, recommending that all adults - all adults over 18 - get a booster shot. It would likely take about three months or so to make a new booster. That's the first step to making a new booster. For instance, the CEO of Moderna has said that the company has already made its first DNA template. Meanwhile, vaccine-makers are already working to tailor their shots to protect against omicron. This will help determine whether people are protected. But any idea when it'll be clear whether a new booster is necessary?ĪUBREY: You know, right now, scientists are testing the blood of vaccinated people to determine if the antibodies in their plasma fend off omicron. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: So that we are prepared if needed, my team is already working with officials at Pfizer and Moderna and Johnson & Johnson to develop contingency plans for vaccines or boosters if needed.ĪUBREY: He says he would spare no effort to remove all roadblocks to keep people safe. But he said his administration will do all it can to help Now, yesterday, President Biden said hopefully this will not be needed. They are anticipating the possibility that they may need to alter their boosters to target omicron. But vaccine-makers are not going to wait around. For instance, in Israel, there's very preliminary information reported there from a public health official that fully vaccinated people infected with omicron have become only slightly ill. ![]() But there's not much data yet beyond some initial reports. Allison - OK, so what is known so far about whether fully vaccinated people will be protected against omicron?ĪLLISON AUBREY, BYLINE: Well, the thinking is that the vaccines would provide some protection, as they have for other variants. MARTÍNEZ: NPR's health correspondent Allison Aubrey joins us to discuss. And so the Biden administration is getting ready for the possibility that the existing vaccines we have might not fully protect against it. Experts say it's only a matter of time until the new omicron variant emerges in the U.S.
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