This archive report was first published on 20 December 2021.
Published on December 20, 2021, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert, has warned that Christmas travel will increase the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, even among the fully vaccinated.
Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press programme, Dr. Fauci stated, 'There's no doubt about this, [Omicron] has an extraordinary capability of spreading.'
Dr. Fauci, who advises the US government on the pandemic, noted that the variant is now 'raging through the world.'
As a result, countries are tightening measures to combat the spread of the variant. In Europe, France and Germany have issued travel restrictions, while the Netherlands has imposed a strict lockdown over Christmas.
Governments are also ramping up their Covid booster vaccination programmes after researchers found that the additional shot could provide around 85% protection against severe illness.
Dr. Fauci expressed concern that the rapid spread of Omicron in the US could have a serious impact on health services across the country, warning that 'our hospitals, if things look like they're looking now, are going to be very stressed.'
He urged people to take precautions such as wearing face masks and social distancing, and to get their vaccine and booster shots.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 73% of the US population has received at least one Covid vaccination, while almost 30% have had a booster shot.
