Omicron Variant Prompts Strengthened Booster Guidance In Fairfax Health District

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — The Fairfax County Health Department has joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to strengthen guidance for COVID-19 booster shots amid concerns about the Omicron variant.

The previous guidance was that all adults may get a booster six months after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months after the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine. Now the recommendation is all adults should get a booster. The recommendation was already there for adults 65 and over, people with underlying health conditions, and people at higher risk because of their work or living setting. No boosters are currently recommended for children under 18.

"Taking measures to reduce the spread of infection, including getting a COVID-19 vaccine, is the best way to slow the emergence of new variants," said Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, director of the Fairfax County Health Department, in a statement.

The Omicron variant, also known as B.1.1.529, is identified as a variant of concern by the CDC and World Health Organization. Researchers are conducting studies to know more about the variant, but it could potentially be more transmissible than the Delta variant. The CDC expects breakthrough infections of vaccinated people, but COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be effective against severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths.

The first U.S. case of the Omicron variant was identified Wednesday in California. The person, who returned from traveling in South Africa, is fully vaccinated and experienced mild symptoms. To date, no Omicron infections have been identified in Virginia.

Health experts say viruses will constantly change through mutation, so new variants will emerge and others will disappear. The Delta variant remains the predominant coronavirus strain in the U.S.

The Fairfax County Health Department reiterated that vaccination is the most important tool to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Other recommended health actions include:

• Wear masks consistently and correctly.
• Maintain six feet of distance from others.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
• Wash hands often.
• Stay home if you are infected with COVID-19 or if you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
• Answer the call if contacted by a health department contact tracer (investigator) as part of a case investigation and contact tracing efforts.
• Get tested if advised by public health staff or healthcare providers, or if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
• Follow isolation or quarantine recommendations, which are critical steps to stop the spread of COVID-19.
• In areas with substantial and high transmission (which includes the Northern Virginia region), CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Review the CDC travel guidance before travelling to understand steps to take before, during and after travel.

To find vaccine availability, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website or search your ZIP code at www.vaccines.gov.