1. What is the Omicron variant?
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been
called a variant of concern by WHO based on
the evidence that it has several mutations that
may have an impact on how it behaves. There is
still substantial uncertainty regarding Omicron
and a lot of research underway to evaluate its
transmissibility, severity and reinfection risk.

2. Omicron designated a variant of
concern (VOC) by WHO
• On 26 November WHO designated B.1.1.529 a variant of
concern (VOC) because of preliminary evidence of a detrimental
change in COVID-19 epidemiology. As a VOC, it was named
Omicron
• Omicron has a large number of mutations including more than
30 genetic mutations of the spike protein
• The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is targeted by some of the
currently approved COVID-19 vaccines; mutations in the spike
protein therefore need to be closely monitored
• Some mutations have previously been associated with increasing
transmissibility and making it easier for the virus to bind and
attach to cells

3. All viruses evolve over time
• The more the virus circulates, the more
the virus will evolve
• Most changes have little to no impact
on the virus’s properties or behavior.
• However, some changes to SARS-CoV-2
lead to the emergence of variants that
may affect:
virus transmissibility
disease severity and presentation
effectiveness of vaccines,
therapeutics, diagnostic tools or
public health and social measures
• Several SARS-CoV-2 variants have been
identified and some have been
characterized by WHO as variants of
interest (VOI) or variants of concern
(VOC)
Spikes, used by
the virus to attach
to human cells
Changes to the
spike protein may
result in changes in
virus transmissibility
or the virus may
escape immunity

4. Transmissibility:
It is not yet clear
whether Omicron is
more transmissible,
causes more or less
severe disease
compared to other
variants, or impacts the
effectiveness of current
COVID-19 vaccines
Current knowledge about Omicron
While characteristics of Omicron are being studied, evidence shows that
COVID-19 vaccines are still effective to protect against severe disease due
to current circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Delta
Reinfection:
Preliminary evidence
suggests there may
be an increased risk
of reinfection with
Omicron, however
information is
limited*
Detection:
Diagnostic tests,
including PCR and
antigen detection
tests, continue to
detect infection with
Omicron
Clinical
management:
Corticosteroids and IL-
6 receptor blockers do
not target the spike
protein and are still
effective for managing
patients with severe
COVID-19

5. Spread
The Omicron variant likely will
spread more easily than the original
SARS-CoV-2 virus and how easily
Omicron spreads compared to Delta
remains unknown. CDC expects that
anyone with Omicron infection can
spread the virus to others, even if
they are vaccinated or don’t have
symptoms

6. Watch for Symptoms
• People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported
– ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may
appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild
to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-
19:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

7. Its virulence
(ability to cause severe disease)
Its ability to evade
immune responses
(prior infection and vaccines &
therapeutics)
Its transmissibility
(relative to circulating variants)
Three key properties of a variant are likely to
influence the overall threat from it

8. Severe
Illness
More data are needed to
know if Omicron infections,
and especially reinfections
and breakthrough infections
in people who are fully
vaccinated, cause more
severe illness or death than
infection with other
variants.

9. Vaccines
• Current vaccines are expected
to protect against severe illness,
hospitalizations, and deaths due
to infection with the Omicron
variant.
However, breakthrough
infections in people who are
fully vaccinated are likely to
occur. With other variants, like
Delta, vaccines have remained
effective at preventing severe
illness, hospitalizations, and
death. The recent emergence of
Omicron further emphasizes
the importance of vaccination
and boosters.

10. Treatments Scientists are working to
determine how well
existing treatments for
COVID-19 work. Based on
the changed genetic make-
up of Omicron, some
treatments are likely to
remain effective while
others may be less effective

11. We have the Tools to Fight Omicron
• Vaccines
• Vaccines remain the best public health
measure to protect people from COVID-19,
slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of
new variants emerging.
• COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at
preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and
death.
• Scientists are currently investigating Omicron,
including how protected fully vaccinated
people will be against infection, hospitalization,
and death.

12. Testing
• Tests can tell you if you are currently infected
with COVID-19.
• Two types of tests are used to test for current
infection: nucleic acid amplification
tests (NAATs) and antigen tests. NAAT and
antigen tests can only tell you if you have a
current infection.
• Individuals can use the COVID-19 Viral Testing
Tool to help determine what kind of test to seek.
• Additional tests would be needed to determine if
your infection was caused by Omicron.
• Visit your state, tribal, local, or territorial health
department’s website to look for the latest local
information on testing.
• Self-tests can be used at home or anywhere, are
easy to use, and produce rapid results.
• If your self-test has a positive result, stay home
or isolate for 10 days, wear a mask if you have
contact with others, and call your healthcare
provider.
• If you have any questions about your self-test
result, call your healthcare provider or public
health department.

13. Preventive measures continue to be effective and should continue to be implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19
Preventive measures effectively reduce the risk
of COVID-19, including Delta and Omicron
Avoid poorly ventilated
or crowded spaces
Keep a physical distance of at
least 1 metre from others
Wear a
well-fitting mask
Open windows to
improve ventilation
Wash hands
frequently
Cough or sneeze into a
bent elbow or tissue
Get vaccinated, when it is
your turn

14. Is the Omicron variant more severe than
other COVID-19 variants?
• Early findings suggest that Omicron might be less
severe than the Delta variant, but more data is
needed and WHO warns that it should not be
dismissed as “mild”. Studies are ongoing and this
information will be updated as it becomes available.
• It is important to remember that all variants of
COVID-19 can cause severe disease or death,
including the Delta variant that is still dominant
worldwide, which is why preventing the spread of
the virus and reducing your risk of exposure to the
virus is so important

15. Are children more likely to contract the
Omicron variant?
• Research is ongoing into Omicron’s
transmissibility and we will update as more
information becomes available. However, people
who are mixing socially and those who are
unvaccinated are more susceptible to contracting
COVID-19

16. How can I protect myself and my family
against the Omicron variant?
• The most important thing you can do is reduce your risk of
exposure to the virus. To protect yourself and your loved ones,
make sure to:
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. Make sure that
your hands are clean when you put on and remove your mask.
• Keep a physical distance of at least 1 metre from others.
• Avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces.
• Open windows to improve ventilation indoors.
• Wash your hands regularly.
• When it’s your turn, get vaccinated. WHO-approved COVID-19
vaccines are safe and effective.