On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reinforced its recommendation for Covid booster shots. They advised all adults to get another dose in light of growing concerns about an omicron variant.

In a Monday statement, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of CDC, stated that the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) has highlighted the need for boosters and vaccinations to prevent COVID-19.

It CDC cleared booster doses for all adultsThis month, it was announced that everyone above 18 years old “may” receive a shot. The agency advised that only people over 50 should get shots. The agency is now giving its strongest recommendation for everyone 18 and older, saying they should get an additional shot six months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series, or two months after their first Johnson & Johnson shot.

A Sunday publication by the World Health Organization highlighted that there is a “very high global risk” from omicron. This variant contains more than 30 mutations in its spike protein. Some of these are linked to increased transmission, and less antibody protection. These mutations, according to the WHO, could lead to future infections with severe consequences.

Walensky stated that early data from South Africa suggests an increase in transmissibility for the Omicron variant. Scientists around the globe, as well as scientists in America, are urgently investigating vaccine effectiveness related this variant.

Although omicron appears to be more dangerous than the prevalent delta variant, there isn’t yet any information on how the mutations will impact the strength of current vaccines. Moderna and Pfizer stated that they would have additional data in approximately two weeks. According to the companies, they are able to adjust vaccines quickly in order combat new strains.

Albert Bourla from Pfizer, the CEO, said that “I don’t think the outcome will be vaccines don’t protect.” He spoke to CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Monday. “I think that, although we do not know the exact result, vaccines could protect less,” Bourla said.

Bourla stated that Pfizer could develop a new vaccine in less than 100 days. CNBC’s Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, said Monday that while a booster shot with a greater dose against omicron could be deployed quickly by the company but that a variant vaccine might take several months.

Although omicron is not yet detected in the U.S.A, President Joe Biden said Monday said the country will face the variantWalensky encouraged Americans, sooner or later to receive booster shots to increase their protection. Walensky encouraged people to have their shots as part of her Monday message.

Walensky stated, “I want to also encourage people to take a COVID-19 testing if they’re sick.” Omicrons will be identified quickly if we have more testing.

Public health officials already worry about the possibility of an increase in Covids and decreasing vaccine strength.

A study published in the journal Science this month found that the Pfizer vaccine’s efficacy at preventing infection declined from 86% to 43% from February to October. Moderna’s vaccine dropped from 89% to 58%, and J&J’s vaccine fell from 86% to 13% efficacy against infection in the same study.

Pfizer discovered that the booster dose offered 95% protection against symptoms of infection during a trial of 10,000 participants.