Episode 27: Omicron COVID-19 Variant and Global Vaccine Equity

Season 1, Episode 27,   Dec 10, 2021, 04:00 PM


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Omicron variant and COVID-19


Q1: We’ve been hearing about the Omicron variant a lot since Thanksgiving weekend. Why?

On Nov. 26, 2021, the World Health Organization identified the Omicron variant as a variant of concern. This variant appears to be more transmissible than the Delta variant and contains many mutations that may affect vaccine effectiveness and immunity. 


Q2: Why are they more concerned about this variant than others?

The concern about Omicron is due to how quickly it is spreading in South Africa as well as the specific mutations in the variant:

  • Omicron appears to be more transmissible than the Delta variant, which until now has been considered the most transmissible Coronavirus variant.

  • Many of Omicron’s mutations occur in the spike protein — a part of the virus that affects infection and immunity and a part of the virus that our current COVID-19 vaccines are based on. So, there is a concern about how effective vaccines will be against infection caused by Omicron. This is actively being investigated by scientists worldwide.



Q3: What causes variants?

The novel coronavirus mutates over time in order to infect more and more people. Variants emerge in areas with low COVID-19 vaccination rates. Places with low vaccination rates suffer vaccine inequity for various reasons:

  • They do not have access to the COVID-19 vaccines, 

  • They do not have the systems or resources in place to support widespread vaccination (for example, they may not afford to purchase the vaccines or related resources needed to put the vaccines into people’s arms), and

  • They may distrust the health care system because of historical injustices.

This map shows the association between income and vaccination rates — countries with the lowest incomes have the lowest vaccination rates. This is also true within the United States.


Q4: How does vaccine inequity in other countries affect us in the United States?

As long as any part of the world remains unvaccinated, variants will continue to emerge. Again, it is still too soon to know whether Omicron poses a serious threat.  But only half the world has been vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Until we achieve global vaccination against COVID-19 — where all nations have achieved a significant vaccination rate —new, more serious variants will continue to emerge. 

This is why the World Health Organization and other organizations are urging wealthier nations to support vaccine equity by taking actions such as sharing their stockpiled vaccines with lower-income nations.


Q5: What can we do to protect ourselves against the Omicron variant?

Please do the same things we have been doing to protect ourselves from COVID-19.

  • Get vaccinated if you’re not. Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19. 

  • Get a booster if you are 18 years or older and it has been more than 6 months since you completed your primary COVID-19 vaccine series.

  • Wear a mask in indoor public settings or outdoor crowded settings.

  • Maintain six feet of physical distance from people outside your home if you don’t know their vaccination status.

  • Wash hands frequently.

  • Avoid large crowds.


Local vaccine events

Date of Event | Time of event | Event Name or Location | Address
Saturday, Dec. 11 | 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Latino Network | 312 SE 165th, Portland
Tuesday, Dec. 14 | 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Highland Haven | 7600 NE Glisan Street, Portland
Tuesday, Dec. 14 | 2 to 8 p.m. | Lloyd Center | 1260 Lloyd Center, Portland
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Episode 28: Pediatrics Vaccines & Holiday Safety
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