The ever-increasing vocabulary surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic may be one of the most anxiety inducing parts of our lives right now. Right when things start to feel better — like the world may return to life before this virus — we hear about a new variant, or maybe that a fully vaccinated friend tested positive. Then, we hear news of third dose booster shots. All these changes can feel like a conspiracy, constantly ruining our chances of returning to a normal life.

Understanding more about these topics can help us deal with this anxiety, and accept that changes in the virus are an inevitable and natural part of the pandemic.

What is a variant? Simply put, a variant is a new strain of a virus that is different from the one previously recorded. The new variants may be different based on physical traits or genetic code. These changes occur because every time a virus replicates, there are mutations in the genetic code. These changes can be good, bad or neutral, but they are normal and natural. When the mutation gives the virus an advantage — like making it more contagious — it can persist and even become the dominant strain in the population.

Right now, the original variant of Covid-19 that first infected humans is not in circulation and recent Covid-19 cases are primarily caused by new variants.

In the U.S., there are four variants that have caused concern. These [include] (https://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/) the Alpha (first found in the United Kingdom), Beta (first found in South Africa), Gamma (first found in Japan and Brazil) and Delta (first found in India) variants. All of these variants are believed to spread faster than the original strain of Covid-19. This is dangerous because it can potentially cause more infections and lead to more cases of severe illness or death. Some of the variants — especially Alpha and Delta — are suspected to cause more severe illness and death than others.

Evidence from the U.S. Center for Disease Control states that vaccines are effective against these new variants. Breakthrough cases are uncommon in fully vaccinated individuals. However, vaccinated individuals who do become infected with the Delta variant can still be contagious and spread the virus to others.

The Delta variant was first found in India, and has spread throughout the subcontinent and the rest of the world. The Delta variant is over two times more contagious than previous variants, contributing to the Covid-19 catastrophe in India earlier this year.

Many countries — the UAE included — cite rising cases of the Delta variant as justification for travel bans or extended quarantines. In the United States, the CDC has reversed its prior stance and now recommend fully vaccinated people continue to wear masks indoors to help curb the spread of the virus.

The Delta variant has also led several countries to begin rolling out vaccine booster shots to ensure immunity against the virus.

What about vaccine boosters? Booster shots do not mean the original vaccine is not working.They are needed when the body’s production of antibodies slows over time, or if the virus has mutated and more robust antibodies are needed. Vaccine boosters are not uncommon for many diseases — children and teenagers receive boosters for hepatitis, tetanus and pneumonia. Needing a booster shot for Covid-19 is not a sign that the original vaccines are ineffective, nor should it be a cause for concern.

In Abu Dhabi, it will be mandatory for individuals to receive a booster shot six months after their second vaccine dose in order to maintain their green status on Al Hosn. There is a grace period for those who received the vaccine more than six months ago. Al Hosn will not turn gray until Sept. 20 to give time for individuals to receive a booster shot.

Other nations, like the U.S., Hungary and Israel have also announced plans to provide booster shots. The U.S. plans to start offering booster shots [8 months after the second dose of the vaccine] (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html). Hungary began offering third dose booster shots in August.

What are breakthrough cases, and does it mean the vaccine is not effective? Even the best vaccines — for all diseases — are not 100% effective at preventing illness.

Breakthrough cases are instances when Covid-19 is detected in someone who was fully vaccinated. For most vaccinated people, breakthrough infections present [less serious symptoms] (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/05/delta-variant-covid-coronavirus-us-key-questions) than in their unvaccinated counterparts, but these individuals are still contagious and can spread the virus to others.

The rise in the Delta variant may have resulted in a higher number of breakthrough cases, but that does not mean the vaccine is ineffective against Covid-19. Vaccines are one of the best ways to reduce the spread of the virus.

The virus and our understanding of it is constantly changing. While new variants, breakthrough cases and more vaccine jabs may be overwhelming and scary, you are not alone. If you are experiencing anxiety about these new updates, NYU Abu Dhabi has resources available for you. To make an appointment with a counselor, speak to a physician about vaccine safety or use the wellness exchange, you can reach out to nyuad.healthcenter@nyu.edu or wellness.exchange@nyu.edu.