The head of the Nevada State Health Laboratory said due to the number of mutations in the omicron variant of the coronavirus, it will take time to analyze how transmissible it is and how deadly.
But Dr. Mark Pandori said while vaccines may be somewhat less effective, they will still provide significant protection.
“We have every reason to believe vaccines are going to be a good defense against omicron,” he said
He said vaccines should slow the replication of the virus and slow it’s ability to go from person to person.
But at this point, he said they don’t have data to support that it is more transmissible or that it can evade immunity.
“It will take weeks to months to find out exactly what the traits of this virus are,” he said.
Asked if the variant will get to Nevada, Pandori said, “it’s nearly impossible to prevent viruses from circulating worldwide.”
Ellie Graeden of Talus Analytics said that, while some fully vaccinated people are contracting the new variant, “they are less likely to be hospitalized.”
She said the vaccine works well to prevent serious illness.
Both said the best protection is getting vaccinated. Pandori said that is followed by wearing a mask because that is a physical barrier to the virus getting into your lungs. Third, he said, is to avoid crowds when possible, something made more difficult by concerts and other large events during the holidays.
Although President Biden’s call for all employers with 100 or more workers to require vaccination is on hold due to a federal judge’s order, DuAne Young, senior adviser in the governor’s office, said that doesn’t prevent individual businesses from requiring vaccinations of their workers.
He also said Nevada will continue to require indoor mask wearing through the holiday season and into the new year.
Graeden said mitigation measures including vaccination and masks are continuing to work in Nevada. She said COVID cases are almost five times lower than they were at this time last year and have dropped 20 percent in just the last two weeks.
The information was presented at the Nevada Health Response bi-weekly update press briefing.
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