(WWJ) – As the BA.2 version of the omicron variant has become the predominant strain across the U.S. and here in Michigan, health leaders are saying now is a good time to get vaccinated or boosted.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people 50 and older today – a population most likely to end up in the hospital or have serious complications from the virus.
The next step will be for the CDC director to sign off and provide instructions on when to get the fourth shot, which is expected to happen in the coming days.
Dr. Dennis Cunningham, the medical director of infection control and prevention for Henry Ford Health System, tells WWJ the subvariant, known as “stealth omicron,” is even more transmissible, which may lead to a rise in cases of COVID-19 in the state.
“I do think it’s possible we’re gonna have an increased number of cases,” Cunningham said.
But there’s also some good news – “I do not think it’s gonna be as bad as the other surges we’ve had,” he added.
Health officials believe the new subvariant is not more likely to cause severe illness, however.
Cunningham says the U.S. is about three or four weeks behind the surge of the variant that was seen across Europe. He says levels in Europe are now starting to peak, and many countries are starting to see numbers come down, which could provide a rough timeline of what to expect here in the U.S.
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