‘Critical’ Vaccine & Booster Against New COVID-19 Variant, Hopkins Epidemiologist Says – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) – Health experts predict an increase in COVID-19 cases in the United States as the BA 2 variant is believed to have fueled the new surge in China and Europe.

Dr. Keri Althoff, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said with cases expected to increase in the country, it is “critically important” that Marylanders be vaccinated and strengthen against COVID-19.

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“That’s the name of the game,” said Dr. Altoff. “I know everyone is tired, I’ll come to you right away. But we are only successful when we are flexible, able to scale and shorten mitigation strategies as needed. “

Public health officials are closely monitoring this variant as COVID infection rates and hospitalizations have plummeted across the country. New COVID cases in Maryland and nationally are at their lowest levels since July.

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“We recognize that we have a pretty good protective bubble right now in the United States, but we also know that’s going to fade over time,” Althoff said. “But also remember that we still have a lot of people we care about in our community who are still at high risk.”

Pfizer and Moderna have requested an emergency use authorization for another booster dose of their respective vaccines. The Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to meet next month.

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“We are not necessarily looking for protection against infection,” said Dr. Althoff. “We are looking for protection against hospitalizations and deaths.”