The omicron variant will likely be the dominant one, according to Fauci

What comes to the US after the first omicron case?

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(CNN) -

Early data on the omicron variant of the coronavirus makes "a very strong case for people to get vaccinated," according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

"Ómicron is going to be a challenge because it spreads very quickly, and the vaccines we use, the normal two doses of mRNA, are not very effective against the infection itself. But especially if the booster is given, it does it quite well. "Fauci told CNN.

"There is no question that optimal protection is going to be with three doses of an mRNA vaccine," Fauci said.

Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke during a briefing at the White House in Washington on December 1.

Credit: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

In South Africa, where the variant was first identified, although there is "almost a vertical peak of infection," the country has no serious hospitalizations, Fauci said.

"The real question is: is this an inherent decrease in virulence of the virus or is it because there are many people in the population who have already been infected and now have residual post-infection immunity, which does not protect them from becoming infected, but yes from contracting a serious illness? "

Fauci said.

• Another small lab study suggests the omicron variant eludes vaccine protection, even with a booster

"Whatever it is, the disease appears to be less serious. If it is inherently less pathogenic as a virus or if there is more protection in the community, we will have to see when it gets to the United States. And it sure ... is going to be dominant in the States. United, given their doubling time, "Fauci said.

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Fauci also said that while vaccines have been available in the United States for a year, 60 million people eligible to get vaccinated still haven't.

"We have to do better if we want to end this," he said.

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