Via Teleconference
(December 10, 2021)
3:34 P.M. EST
MR. ZIENTS: Good afternoon, and thanks for becoming a member of us.
Today, we’ll begin with an replace from Dr. Walensky on the state of the pandemic, and the Omicron variant, and the choice by FDA and CDC yesterday to make boosters accessible to 16- and 17-year-olds.
Dr. Walensky.
DR. WALENSKY: Thank you, Jeff. Good afternoon, everybody. I’d like to start out by strolling via at present’s knowledge.
The present seven-day every day common of instances is about 118,500 instances per day, which represents a rise of about 37 % over the earlier week.
The seven-day common of hospital admissions is about 7,400 instances per day, additionally a rise of about 16 % over the earlier week.
And the seven-day common of every day deaths are about 1,100 per day, which is a rise of about 28 % over the prior week.
I do know all of us stay involved about the place we’re within the pandemic, each with Delta and now with the Omicron variant. CDC has been actively addressing and evaluating the Omicron variant and working with state and native jurisdictions to know its unfold.
As a part of that investigation, at present we’re releasing the primary MMWR report that particulars the traits of the primary 43 confirmed Omicron instances within the United States.
As you possibly can see mirrored on this map, as of at present, 25 states have reported confirmed instances of Omicron. This report within the MMWR gives an early have a look at the influence of the Omicron variant as we constantly work to study extra.
Among the primary 43 confirmed instances within the United States between December 1st and seventh, over half had been between the ages of 18 and 39 and about one third reported worldwide journey earlier than they had been recognized.
Nearly 80 % — or 34 people — had been totally vaccinated. And a few third of them — or 14 of these 34 people — obtained an extra booster dose, although some who had a booster had only in the near past obtained it.
Additionally, 16 % of the instances reported had beforehand been contaminated with SARS-CoV-2.
Among all instances, there was just one hospitalization and no deaths have been reported thus far.
In reported instances up to now, most individuals skilled solely delicate signs, which is what we’d count on from a bunch of totally vaccinated people.
This preliminary have a look at case traits is a place to begin. We will proceed to intently comply with this variant to study extra about scientific severity, transmissibility, and susceptibility to our therapeutics and vaccines.
Although we don’t have all of the solutions on the Omicron variant, preliminary knowledge counsel that COVID-19 boosters assist to bolster safety in opposition to Omicron.
And, we must always do not forget that, nonetheless, over 99 % of instances within the nation proper now are induced by the Delta variant, which is driving will increase in instances and hospitalizations. Vaccination with a main collection and boosting with an extra dose for many who are eligible will hold individuals out of the hospital and save lives
New knowledge had been revealed this week that show the ability of booster doses.
Two research from Israel had been revealed within the New England Journal of Medicine. Both research checked out individuals who obtained their main two-dose collection of an mRNA vaccine a minimum of 5 months earlier and in contrast those that had obtained a booster dose with those that had not but been boosted.
In one examine, for many who had been boosted and over the age of fifty, there was a 90 % lower in mortality from COVID-19 in comparison with those that didn’t obtain a booster.
In the opposite, throughout all age teams evaluated, charges of COVID-19 an infection and extreme illness had been considerably decrease in those that had obtained a booster dose, with an almost twentyfold lower in extreme illness for many who had been boosted.
Yesterday, I’m happy to say, following FDA motion, CDC expanded suggestions for booster pictures to now embody everybody 16 and older. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the one approved and beneficial COVID vaccine for these ages 16 and 17. I encourage this group to get a booster shot six months after finishing their main Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination collection.
As we proceed to work to remain forward of the virus, this suggestion will be certain that extra individuals throughout the U.S. can strengthen their safety in opposition to COVID-19 an infection, extreme sickness, and demise.
As all the time, we’re following the science. There have been over 50 million booster doses administered within the United States, and we’re monitoring the protection of those doses, in addition to studies from world wide the place these 16 and older are additionally receiving booster pictures.
It is obvious that booster pictures are a protected and efficient option to forestall COVID-19 and to guard in opposition to the specter of new variants.
Parents, now could be the time to make sure that your youngsters are vaccinated. If they’re 16 or older and six months from their main collection, they will get a booster shot. If your youngster is 5 years and older and has not but gotten their first shot, now could be the time. Getting them vaccinated helps defend them from COVID-19 and the doubtless severe outcomes from this an infection.
As a mom of three, I do know the considerations that folks maintain for the well being and security of their youngsters. These vaccines usually are not solely protected, however they’re extremely efficient in stopping extreme illness, hospitalization, and demise.
In the final month, there have been 7 million pictures given to youngsters ages 5 to 11. The commonest reported uncomfortable side effects amongst 5- to 11-year-olds after vaccination have been delicate. They’ve included sore arm, headache, and fatigue.
COVID-19 vaccines are being monitored for security with probably the most complete and intense security monitoring program in United States’ historical past, and no security considerations have been recognized on this age group.
I do know some dad and mom need to “wait and see.” I wished to reiterate that vaccination is the easiest way to guard your children from COVID-19 and the easiest way to guard your whole household.
Please take the time to ask questions and get any further info you have to make this vital choice to get your youngsters vaccinated.
In this second, all of us have a necessary position to play in coming collectively to do what we all know works in opposition to this virus. Vaccines work, boosting works, testing works, masking works, bodily distancing works, washing our fingers works, and correct air flow works.
I’m assured that we are able to all do our half as we struggle collectively in opposition to COVID-19 and put together for extra Omicron.
Thank you. And I’ll now flip issues again over to you, Jeff.
MR. ZIENTS: Thank you, Dr. Walensky.
Next, Dr. Fauci will present an summary of the most recent science on Omicron.
Before I flip to him, I need to stage set on how we must be serious about the variant within the coming weeks as extra and extra knowledge turns into accessible.
Since Omicron was first detected, the world’s scientific neighborhood has been working to collect knowledge and study extra concerning the variant.
As extra and extra knowledge develop into accessible, it’s essential to bear in mind what Dr. Fauci stated on Tuesday: It will take a while to have a transparent understanding of Omicron’s transmissibility, severity, and vaccine influence.
And we might want to have a look at the totality of the information.
We are beginning to get preliminary knowledge that Dr. Fauci will evaluation at present. And within the coming weeks, we count on to study extra.
This is science at work.
Americans must be assured that we’ve one of the best scientists on the earth on the job and that we are going to proceed to be clear — sharing what we all know, once we realize it.
With that, over to Dr. Fauci.
DR. FAUCI: Thank you very a lot, Jeff. I’d prefer to spend simply the following couple of minutes underscoring a few of the issues that had been stated each by Dr. Walensky and by Jeff.
If I may have the primary slide.
So, the query on everybody’s thoughts is: What are the information that are actually rising steadily, day by day, from totally different teams on the flexibility of vaccine-induced antibodies to successfully neutralize the Omicron variant.
Next slide.
This is a listing of simply a few of the consultant publications — virtually all on preprint servers this laboratory knowledge relating to neutralization of Omicron by vaccine-induced antibodies.
Rather than undergo every and each considered one of these, the widespread denominator is what I stated on the primary slide: that what is going on is that knowledge are rising that there’s a diminution in safety by the antibodies induced by the usual two-dose vaccine.
Next slide.
And that is summarized on the primary bullet right here: Preliminary knowledge, as of a few days in the past, “demonstrates that sera from individuals who received two doses of Pfizer/BioNTech…vaccine exhibited [about a] 25-fold reduction in neutralization titers against Omicron [when] compared to wild-type.” That’s the sobering information.
The encouraging information is that “Booster doses increased the neutralizing antibody titers by 25-fold compared to two doses against the Omicron variant.” A hanging endorsement of the significance of boosting.
Let me get somewhat bit extra detailed about that.
Next slide.
These are a few of the neutralization knowledge that Pfizer launched two days in the past. Let me shortly undergo it. On the left-hand a part of the slide, one seems at what’s known as the “vaccine neutralization titer” — the pseudo virus titer — once you have a look at a mechanism of neutralizing a selected illustration of virus perform.
Twenty-one days after the second dose, discover the purple bar, Omicron, may be very low in comparison with the neutralization in opposition to wild-type and Beta.
But have a look at what occurs, in a hanging method, one month after the third dose. Note that the purple bar — which represents Omicron — and the quantity above it, 154, is basically equal to what a typical two-dose vaccination does in opposition to wild-type, proven on the left with the 155.
Also, neutralization titers — or the pseudo virus neutralization titer — within the different variants additionally had a pointy improve.
Next slide.
So, let’s simply lastly go over a few key factors. Early knowledge are rising from a special group. And actually on a day-by-day foundation — and you’re going to see, over the weekend, extra tweets and different info coming via. And then within the early a part of subsequent week, you’ll be seeing knowledge very possible in preprint servers.
Preliminary findings utilizing laboratory research with NIH assays, animal examine outcomes possible is not going to be out for a number of weeks. There’ll be scientific and epidemiological examine. But one factor that may be a caveat: Although laboratory knowledge are typically good indications and hints of a scientific consequence, they don’t all the time reliably predict.
And one level that’s vital is that we measure, as a result of it’s straightforward to do, antibodies — antibodies which might be induced by vaccines, et cetera. We should do not forget that there are different parts that will play an essential half in safety in opposition to notably extreme illness, and that’s reminiscence B cells, subsets of T cells, CD4 or CD8 T cells. All of these items, even on a two dose, may very well play a task in stopping in opposition to extreme illness.
Final slide. Next, please.
So, early in vitro research clearly point out that boosters improve antibody titers in opposition to the Omicron variant. So, for those who’re involved about SARS-CoV-2 basically and actually concerning the Omicron variant: First, get vaccinated. And then, when eligible, get boosted.
Back to you, Jeff.
MR. ZIENTS: Thanks, Dr. Fauci. Next, let’s flip to Dr. Murthy to debate the essential matter of the influence the pandemic is having on the psychological well being of younger individuals on this nation.
Dr. Murthy.
SURGEON GENERAL MURTHY: Well, thanks a lot, Jeff. And it’s good to be with everybody once more. Let me begin by reiterating what my colleagues have stated — Dr. Walensky and Dr. Fauci — that the preliminary science on Omicron is encouraging, particularly in people who find themselves boosted. But the important thing proper now could be somewhat bit extra endurance whereas we collect extra knowledge.
I do know that many on the market could be feeling drained and annoyed after many months on this pandemic. Many of us have
felt the emotional rollercoaster of COVID. But that’s when — and I felt that too.
But after I do really feel that, that’s after I do not forget that the massive distinction between now and March 2020 is that we’ve extra information about tips on how to assess and sort out new variants. And most significantly, we’ve extra instruments — together with vaccines, testing, masking, and air flow — that permit us to extra safely resume most of the actions we’ve missed. These embody gathering with our household and mates, preserving our youngsters at school, and getting again to work.
There is little doubt extra work forward, however we’re additionally making progress, unmistakably, and we gained’t cease till the job is completed.
And at present, I need to discuss concerning the psychological well being challenges of COVID and how they’ve particularly affected younger individuals.
COVID dramatically altered children experiences at dwelling, in school, and in the neighborhood throughout a vital interval of improvement. We’ve seen charges of hysteria and melancholy amongst younger individuals improve all through the pandemic. But it’s essential to acknowledge that our kids had been already struggling earlier than COVID-19 arrived.
In 2019, one in three highschool college students and half of feminine highschool college students reported persistent emotions of disappointment or hopelessness, which was an total improve of 40 % from 10 years prior.
Taken collectively, the influence on younger individuals’s psychological well being and wellbeing has been devastating. But whereas psychological well being challenges in youngsters, adolescents, and younger adults are actual and widespread, the bottom line is that they’re treatable and typically preventable.
And that’s why, this week, I issued a Surgeon General’s Advisory on defending youth psychological well being. The advisory is a useful resource for youths and households, and gives suggestions for younger individuals, dad and mom, colleges, expertise and media corporations, neighborhood organizations and governments alike. It’s a blueprint for constructing on the investments the administration is already making in psychological well being and resiliency, investments that embody $190 million to extend entry to behavioral well being companies for youth, $80 million to help the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program, and $30 million in Project AWARE.
The advisory represents a imaginative and prescient for what we are able to construct collectively, which is a more healthy, extra resilient, extra fulfilled nation. Because when households battle to place meals on the desk and when children are going to crumbling colleges, it’s onerous to keep up good psychological well being. That’s why to deal with psychological well being in America, we’ve to construct a future the place all children can thrive. And to do this, we’ve to deal with the boundaries which might be holding them again.
All of this gained’t occur in a single day. Many of the suggestions that we provide within the advisory require structural buy-in and change. But two of a very powerful steps that we are able to take at present are to finish this pandemic and to create a tradition that sees psychological well being as a part of well being and not one thing to be ashamed of.
It could be a tragedy if we beat again one public well being disaster solely to now permit one other to develop as an alternative. And for the younger lady in Oregon who hasn’t seen her grandparents in too lengthy; or the teenager in Texas whose social media accounts are telling him he’s not fashionable sufficient, not sensible sufficient, not good trying sufficient, not wealthy sufficient; for the Indian child in Miami who feels alone in his center faculty due to who he’s and what he seems like: For them, for all their friends, change can’t come quickly sufficient, and that’s why we’re going to proceed to work on bettering the well being of younger individuals throughout America.
Thank you all. And I’ll flip it again to you, Jeff.
MR. ZIENTS: Thanks, Dr. Murthy. Before we open up for questions, I need to reiterate that we’ve the instruments and the know-how we have to confront Omicron.
Vaccines stay our most essential device. And because of the President’s relentless concentrate on vaccinations since day one, we’ve made important progress.
In reality, simply this week, we hit two milestones: 200 million totally vaccinated Americans, up from simply 2 million when the President took workplace, and 300 million vaccines donated and delivered to 110 nations world wide, with practically 31 million doses shipped within the final week alone.
Two hundred million totally vaccinated Americans and 300 million vaccines donated and delivered world wide — these are two main milestones in our struggle in opposition to the virus.
So, as we enter this winter, we’re in a a lot stronger, safer place than final winter.
And we’re executing the President’s winter plan to construct on this progress utilizing each device at our disposal to maneuver us additional alongside the trail out of the pandemic.
The President’s plan is delivering. We’re getting probably the most pictures in arms per day since May, seven months in the past. We’re getting booster pictures to 1.1 million Americans a day — extra individuals boosted per day than ever earlier than. And as of yesterday, 16- and 17-year-olds are actually eligible for a booster.
So, heading into the winter, our vaccinations program is accelerating, and we’re sparing no effort to maintain individuals protected, our colleges open, and the financial system rising.
But we’d like everybody to do their half. This means getting boosted.
The medical doctors have been crystal clear: Everyone eligible for a booster shot ought to get one immediately as a result of boosters present the very best stage of safety in opposition to COVID.
We’ve made boosters free and available at 80,000 places coast to coast.
So, my message at present is straightforward: Please, for those who had been totally vaccinated earlier than the primary week of June, go get your booster shot at present. And get your children and your self vaccinated as quickly as attainable for those who haven’t already. It’s protected and efficient, free and straightforward, and will assist hold you, your family members, and your neighborhood protected this winter.
With that, let’s open it up for some questions.
MODERATOR: Great. First query we’re going to go to Tamara Keith at NPR.
Q Thank you for taking my query. The FDA approved a brand new monoclonal antibody this week made by AstraZeneca that protects individuals from getting COVID for six months after getting the pictures. How do you think about that getting used? Is the concept it could be an alternative to a vaccine or for individuals who aren’t prepared to get one?
And then a separate query for Dr. Walensky: Back in March, you talked about kind of having this sense of impending doom as COVID numbers had been rising. COVID numbers are leaping fairly considerably proper now, together with hospitalizations and deaths. How are you feeling? Is there — is the doom not there?
MR. ZIENTS: Dr. Murthy, do you need to discuss concerning the AstraZeneca monoclonal?
SURGEON GENERAL MURTHY: Jeff, did you imply me or Tony?
MR. ZIENTS: Either one.
DR. FAUCI: I’ll do it.
SURGEON GENERAL MURTHY: You can begin, yeah.
DR. FAUCI: Yeah, so when you’ve got a one thing that’s a prophylactic, specifically stopping an infection by a monoclonal antibody infusion, that isn’t supposed to be an alternative to a vaccine for somebody who you’ll predict would reply to the vaccine.
Those prophylactics are as a consequence of a subset of people that you wouldn’t count on or have already proven that they aren’t responding adequately to the vaccine, and these are normally individuals are both at very excessive danger and haven’t had response. Some of these very clearly could be transplantation sufferers, sufferers who’re on immunosuppressive regimens for autoimmune and different illness.
So, let me repeat, as a result of it’s essential: Whenever we see the provision of an intervention that would theoretically substitute for vaccine, there’s under no circumstances a suggestion that it’s both/or. It’s for those who don’t reply to a vaccine, that’s once you use that.
SURGEON GENERAL MURTHY: And now we simply (inaudible) —
MR. ZIENTS: Go forward, Doctor.
SURGEON GENERAL MURTHY: — we see these layers of safety. And, you understand, we all know that some weak people want an extra layer, however we aren’t taking away the layers that we’ve been recommending, which embody vaccines.
MR. ZIENTS: Second query, Dr. Walensky?
DR. WALENSKY: Yeah, thanks for that query, Tamara.
You know, proper now, we do have rising instances. We’re at 100,000 — 118,000 a day, however we even have many extra available instruments than we had earlier this yr.
We have 200 million people who find themselves totally vaccinated, and we’ve boosters prepared accessible and — available in 80,000 websites for individuals to roll up their sleeves and get most safety from our vaccines and our boosters.
We have vaccinations for our kids all the way down to the age of 5. And we’ve lots of science that inform — that informs most of the issues that we are able to do to forestall COVID-19 in ourselves, in our households, and in our communities.
And it’s the assortment of all of these issues collectively — vaccinations, boosters, and preventive measures — that basically offers me much more religion in our — the place we’re presently.
MR. ZIENTS: Next query, please.
MODERATOR: Nate Weixel at The Hill.
Q Hey, thanks for taking my query. There was some new knowledge from CDC out at present simply laying out somewhat bit extra of the timeline on once we knew Omicron was within the U.S. So it looks as if it was right here sooner than the journey restrictions had been put in place. So, I’m simply going to ask if there’s a timeline on once they could be lifted and kind of what you see the aim of them at this level is.
MR. ZIENTS: I’ll take that.
You know, we proceed to see a steep rise in instances out of Southern Africa. And the journey restrictions, once they had been taken, they had been actually not taken frivolously. They had been taken out of an abundance of warning to offer us time to arrange for Omicron; to judge it, as we’ve been speaking about at present; and to assist sluggish the unfold.
We count on to study extra, as Dr. Fauci outlined, on transmissibility, severity, and the vaccine influence of Omicron within the days forward.
We perceive and sympathize that the journey restrictions are inflicting problem for these in Southern Africa. But we consider these as non permanent measures for a restricted time frame. And we consider they’re applicable for that restricted time frame. We are constantly evaluating this coverage on a day-to-day foundation.
Next query.
MODERATOR: Let’s obtained to Cheyenne Haslett at ABC News.
Q So, my first query is concerning the UK, the place specialists have predicted that Omicron will attain parity with Delta as quickly as subsequent week. What does the CDC modeling present about when Omicron will attain that stage with Delta right here?
And my second query is for Dr. Murphy concerning the report on psychological well being of younger individuals through the pandemic. I ponder the way you suppose this actually troublesome time goes to have an effect on the long-term improvement and success of this youthful technology. Where do you see this going as they become older?
MR. ZIENTS: Dr. Walensky and then Dr. Murthy.
DR. WALENSKY: Yeah, thanks for that query, Cheyenne. So, proper now, our genomic surveillance demonstrates that we’ve lower than 0.1 % of instances within the United States is Omicron.
We’re persevering with to comply with it, however we’re additionally seeing knowledge from different nations — UK and South Africa — that’s demonstrating a very quick doubling time in — someplace within the two to a few days.
So, I don’t suspect we’ll be on the identical time horizon as UK, and we’re persevering with to comply with instances. And we’ll have a look at the rigorously.
MR. ZIENTS: Dr. Murthy?
SURGEON GENERAL MURTHY: Thanks, Jeff. And, Cheyenne, thanks for that query. You know, I’m apprehensive about our kids; that’s why I issued this advisory. And lots of the steps that we took this yr to verify we obtained our youngsters again to highschool — you understand, we created extra instruments for households to have the ability to collect, be capable of see their grandparents and their mates — these are an essential a part of serving to children get again a lot of what they want.
But the reality is that our youngsters have been struggling for a very long time, even earlier than this pandemic. And to really make the investments that our kids want implies that we’ve obtained to put money into prevention packages and increasing remedy and increasing the healthcare — the psychological healthcare workforce.
Those are steps that this administration has taken, and there’s extra to do there.
And, lastly, I’ll simply say that what we actually must do is one thing that authorities can’t do however all of us as people can do, which is to basically destigmatize psychological sickness.
We have to alter how we take into consideration and speak about psychological sickness in order that youngsters don’t really feel ashamed of fighting their psychological well being and in order that they don’t really feel embarrassed to ask for assist.
MR. ZIENTS: Next query.
MODERATOR: Serena Marshall at NowThis.
Q There we go. Thank you a lot for taking my query. I simply wished to comply with up on the journey ban/South Africa query, and then one different for Dr. Walensky.
The World Health Organization has stated that journey bans like this adversely influence international well being efforts by disincentivizing nations to report and share epidemiological and sequencing knowledge.
South Africa has nice sequencing and — knowledge that many epidemiologists have stated we benefited from by them having the ability to determine this variant so shortly.
So, provided that, are you involved that different nations and that this ban stays in impact, even because the U.S. has carried out necessary COVID testing for these touring right here, will disincentivize different nations from figuring out new variants as they arrive via?
And then, Dr. Walensky, I’m questioning if there’s any plans for the CDC to alter how they are going to be managing breakthrough instances and monitoring these. I do know there’s been a giant name throughout the medical neighborhood to have extra real-time knowledge reporting, particularly now studying, as outlined, that a lot of these Omicron instances presently within the U.S. are among the many vaccinated.
MR. ZIENTS: So why don’t we begin — Dr. Fauci, possibly you possibly can touch upon how we’re working with South Africa and different nations, on the identical time appreciating that the journey ban is a brief measure of the cooperation that we’re having with South Africa and different nations world wide.
DR. FAUCI: Yes, thanks, Jeff. Well, to start with — simply to reiterate what we’ve all stated a number of occasions on these briefings — that we worth very, very a lot the generosity and transparency of our South African colleagues, and we are able to perceive how they really feel.
Early on, once we first heard — actually the primary day — about the specter of Omicron, the motion was taken to chop off briefly the journey from South Africa and the encompassing nations. This is one thing that we didn’t take frivolously, and we do really feel badly about any hardship that that has imposed upon them.
What we’re doing presently, proper now, is trying on the proof that will get us to drag again on that. And the CDC will probably be performing some modeling research that they actually have began already to find out what the danger of elevated inflow of sufferers — steadiness of people who’re contaminated — balanced in opposition to the already current an infection in our personal nation.
So, the underside line of what you’re saying is that we wish to elevate that as quickly as we probably can, primarily based on proof that we are able to use as the idea for that lifting.
MR. ZIENTS: Dr. Walensky, second query.
DR. WALENSKY: Yeah, thanks for that query. So we’ve many alternative mechanisms by which we comply with breakthrough instances. One is thru passive reporting. But we all know, via passive reporting, we’re not getting all of these instances in.
So, what we do as well as is we’ve many alternative cohorts — massive numbers of cohorts, tens of 1000’s of individuals — that we have a look at particularly in order that we all know that we’re following and we’re getting energetic reporting from all of these locations.
So, we comply with healthcare staff and frontline staff. We comply with sufferers in long-term care amenities. We comply with sufferers in different well being techniques, like Kaiser Permanente and Intermountain Health. And then we’re additionally monitoring in quite a few departments of public well being. And over 20 departments of public well being are actually combining their vaccination knowledge with their testing knowledge with their hospitalization knowledge. And that’s over a 3rd of the inhabitants, and that’s giving us a very correct view of breakthrough instances, each for 2 doses of vaccine and now for booster pictures as nicely.
MR. ZIENTS: Next query.
MODERATOR: Jeff Mason at Reuters.
Q Thanks very a lot. Dr. Fauci, may you elaborate somewhat bit extra on what knowledge you can be in search of for making these choices about journey? And for each Dr. Fauci and Dr. Walensky: What broad recommendation would you give proper now to households who’re planning journey over the vacations — for Christmas and New Year’s — given the information that you simply’ve talked about tonight? Any broad recommendation that you’d share?
MR. ZIENTS: Let’s go to Dr. Fauci.
DR. FAUCI: Jeff, I need to make sure that –- Jeff I need to make sure that I perceive your query. When you say what knowledge we’re going to be in search of relating to journey, are you referring particularly to the journey restrictions? Is that what you’re asking?
Q Yes, sir.
DR. FAUCI: Okay, thanks. Well, Jeff, what it’s is that you are able to do a modeling to check out the dynamics of an infection right here on this nation and in different nations the place there are not any journey bans; get an estimate for what the dynamics of the an infection: the way it’s accelerating, the numbers of instances, and the projected variety of instances in South Africa and different southern nations; and decide whether or not or not it truly makes no distinction for those who hold individuals out from that nation.
And these knowledge can truly be acquired by some fairly good fashions. And we hope that we are going to have — we determine — and I don’t need to make any guarantees — actually throughout the subsequent few days to every week.
MR. ZIENTS: Dr. Walensky, on normal journey recommendation.
DR. WALENSKY: Yeah, I’m actually glad you requested this query, Jeff. Look, we would like individuals to get — be capable of get collectively safely for the vacations. And that’s going to require us to all be vigilant in a time the place we’ve a rising variety of instances.
We know the fitting issues that we have to do, and we’re asking individuals, as they consider their vacation journey, to actually do all of these issues to guard themselves and their household. So what’s that? That is ensuring you’re totally vaccinated and boosted for those who’re eligible for reinforcing; getting your children vaccinated; ensuring these individuals who you’re gathering with are vaccinated; making certain individuals are working towards the right prevention and mitigation methods, together with masking for a minimum of a few weeks earlier than they arrive collectively.
And in order for you that additional layer of reassurance on high of all of these prevention methods, take a take a look at earlier than you collect, and make sure that everyone collectively is coming along with a damaging take a look at.
MR. ZIENTS: Okay, one final query, please.
MODERATOR: Last query, Kaitlan Collins, CNN.
Q Thanks a lot. I simply wished to comply with up on a dialog that we’ve been having this week about why the United States has not made these speedy exams free such as you’ve seen different nations do. And I need to simply get you to weigh in on whether or not or not that’s nonetheless an choice that the federal government is contemplating.
MR. ZIENTS: Well, Kaitlan, testing is free in lots of venues throughout the nation, and we need to ensure that, basically, testing is completed in probably the most environment friendly and efficient method.
As you understand, at-home exams have develop into very talked-about. And we’ve elevated the availability — quadrupled it — to fulfill rising demand. And that’s simply benchmarking versus finish of summer time versus the place we now are.
We’ve additionally dramatically scaled up free testing at pharmacy and neighborhood websites. They’re now at 20,000 websites throughout the nation, and these are situated notably within the hardest-to-reach and most weak communities. We’ve created a brand new streamlined pathway to carry extra at-home exams to the market. And we’ve gone from no at-home exams available on the market, when the President took workplace, to eight on the cabinets at present.
So the President’s winter plan, which he introduced final week, builds off of this progress: free at-home testing for anybody with personal insurance coverage going ahead, and one other 50 million exams for individuals not lined by personal insurance coverage at handy locations like well being facilities and neighborhood websites throughout the nation.
So, total, we’ve made great progress, and the administration’s $3 billion funding will scale up testing capability and drive further progress. Our purpose is to offer free exams to everybody who desires one in probably the most environment friendly and efficient method attainable.
There is sufficient testing capability on this nation, and we’re assured that as extra exams come to market — get approved and come to market — innovation will proceed and costs will come down.
But I need to emphasize: Between the free exams which might be accessible at pharmacies; the free exams which might be going to be distributed all through the nation at neighborhood facilities, handy places; and the 150 million people who find themselves in personal insurance coverage and the flexibility to be reimbursed — there’s loads of free testing throughout the nation.
Thank you for at present, and we’ll stay up for seeing individuals subsequent week. Thank you.
4:11 P.M. EST
To view the COVID Press Briefing slides, go to: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/COVID-Press-Briefing-12.10-Clean.pdf