'While we are heading in the right direction, we are not where we want to be,' Dr. Vivek Murthy told CBS News
As the Omicron surge shows signs of starting to decline, Murthy said scientists around the world continue tracking variants of the virus. Scientists have recently identified a new, which has been detected in at least 40 countries, including the United States.
Murthy called BA.2"a cousin" of Omicron, and said there isn't evidence yet which suggests it to be more dangerous or less responsive to existing vaccines. He said cases of BA.2 are currently"very low" in the U.S., but added that scientists are keeping their eyes on it. "We want to learn everything we can about this to be prepared," Murthy said."For now, though, the message is still the same and the steps we need to take are still the same."
He encouraged Americans not to wait to get vaccinated. While pharmaceutical companies are working on developing vaccines, Murthy said the existing vaccines are already"effective at protecting people from the worst outcome of Omicron, which is hospitalization and death."
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