The approaching omicron variant should prompt a re-examination of some safety strategies to protect against COVID-19, said an infectious disease expert at Butler Health System.

Dr. John Love, infectious disease medical director, said that while data is still being gathered in real time, omicron is definitively more contagious than previous variants.

“Everything is saying this is more contagious. There is no debate at this point,” Love said. “It looks more difficult in a lot of ways.”

Those who are not yet vaccinated should absolutely get vaccinated, and those who have not yet gotten their booster should make it a priority to do so, he said.

Data on omicron indicates that vaccinated individuals are more readily infected with omicron if they have not had a booster. Love said that this may change the process of risk assessment for many.

“Some of the points of safety or of what people thought would keep them protected are not as guaranteed,” he said. “It’s a little hard to rest on a single one of them, and say ‘Oh, I’ve had my two doses of vaccine, and I’m good to go, and don’t need to worry about anything.’ The data that we’re getting with omicron suggests that’s a very dangerous approach.”

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