Prognosis

Biden Says Omicron Means More Mild Breakthrough Infections

President urges vaccination, warns unvaccinated of illness
Outlines strategy to fight omicron, including free tests

President Joe Biden said that the omicron variant of the coronavirus will result in more “breakthrough” infections among vaccinated Americans -- “potentially in large numbers” -- but that they are unlikely to be severely ill. He stressed the need for people again to get vaccinated or boosted. For the unvaccinated, however, the president warned that a winter of severe illness and death awaits. He spoke at the White House.Source: Bloomberg

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By Josh Wingrove and Emma Kinery

December 21, 2021 at 8:01 PM UTC

Updated on

December 21, 2021 at 8:59 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

President Joe Biden said that the omicron variant of the coronavirus will result in more breakthrough infections among vaccinated Americans -- “potentially in large numbers” -- but that they are very unlikely to be severely ill.

Especially for people with booster shots, he said in a speech at the White House Tuesday, a breakthrough infection mostly likely will mean “no symptoms” or mild disease. He said the vaccinated should proceed with Christmas plans.