What’s the best course of defense against omicron in MS? What Ochsner doctor says
With the COVID-19 omicron variant in Mississippi, a top Ochsner doctor said getting the booster vaccine is the best way to avoid infection.
The Mississippi Department of Health on Dec. 6 reported the first case of the variant which has infected 43 across the country in 22 states, according to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update.
During a live online discussion on Friday, Ochsner Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention Katherine Baumgarten said the emerging virus mutation is seemingly more transmissible than the most recent delta variant, and it may resist medicine or partially break through infection or vaccine-induced immunity.
Initial observations on how omicron patients responded to COVID vaccinations have found some breakthrough infections in those who were fully vaccinated with two shots, but not among those who had also received their booster shots.
“Please go get that booster vaccine so you have as much protection as possible with omicron circulating,” she said.
Omicron patients who had received their boosters fared similarly to how fully vaccinated people responded to the delta variant. During delta’s peak in late summer, nearly all those hospitalized and dead from the virus were unvaccinated.
“Get the booster dose now, don’t wait. The best way to stay out of the hospital is to get that booster vaccine,” Baumgarten said.
Preliminary data shows the symptoms of omicron are milder than delta and are similar to the flu or a common cold, Baumgarten said.
Among the 43 cases reported by the CDC, there was one recorded hospitalization and no deaths.
“It may not feel severe enough to feel like it could be COVID,” Baumgarten said.
This article and live event is supported by the Journalism and Public Information Fund, a fund of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
