COVID vaccinations up in multiple states as fears of Omicron persist

Vaccination rates across the country edged up over the past week as fears remained elevated of a new wave of infections from the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a sharp spike in vaccinations from Nov. 28 onward. Jabs had been on a steady downward trend for the prior eight days. 

The Omicron mutation has raised concerns of a fresh wave of cases and deaths as scientists have warned that the new variant is extremely transmissible. 

It is unclear whether or not the Omicron mutation is more deadly than earlier variants. Cases of Omicron have thus far been largely mild, according to numerous epidemiologists and doctors treating the virus.