Recent research from the UK shows that protection against death with omicron is around 95% in adults aged 50 and over who are boosted. Similarly, a study by CDC researchers found that reminders were approximately 90% effective in preventing hospitalizations associated with COVID-19 during the early omicron era.

“It’s very clear, especially with omicron, that the third shot adds a huge amount of extra protection,” says Wachter, especially for older people. “If you’ve had three injections, you’ve reduced your risk to that of a relatively young, healthy person.”

So far, about 65% of eligible adults aged 65 and over have received their booster dose; for adults 50 and older, that number drops to about 56%, according to federal counts.

Advances in treatments for COVID-19 have also been a game-changer for people at increased risk of serious illness. In addition to remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies, which are usually given to infected patients in a health care setting, two new prescription pills from Pfizer and Merck have recently been licensed for home use. These antiviral drugs have been shown in clinical trials to significantly reduce the likelihood of high-risk adults infected with the coronavirus ending up in hospital.

The pills are currently in short supply, but federal authorities have announced plans to make them — and testing them, as rapid diagnosis is key — more accessible. “I feel like this will be a big turning point,” Ciaranello says.

Balancing caution and connectivity is key for older adults

As the omicron wave ridges and infections drop, Wachter predicts that one of the biggest challenges for older people — especially those who have been in “squatting mode for two years” — will be trying to decide when it’s safe to resume a more normal state of life.

“We’re not there yet, because the case rates are still quite high,” he says. But he hopes that in several weeks those vaccinated and boosted may feel better about visiting family and traveling for pleasure, based on their individual risk and comfort level.

In the meantime, don’t be complacent, Lachs says. Make sure you’re up to date on your vaccinations, replace your mask with a properly fitted respirator like an N95, and if you have access to home testing (you can order four free kits per household here), swab your nose before to socialize with others. Also, if you’re immunocompromised, talk to your doctor about monoclonal antibody treatment that could help prevent coronavirus infection.

“If I was in a high-risk group, I’d button myself up for the next two to three weeks. Let that pass, and then hopefully by mid-February or March, it’ll be over and you can sort of start to get back to normal life,” says Wortmann.

It’s also important to balance alertness with your mental and emotional health; staying in touch with others until the omicron wanes can help.

“Loneliness and isolation are a real risk,” Lachs says — a risk that can also worsen the health of older adults, according to the CDC. Lachs suggests meeting outside with others when the weather permits or coordinating online dinners with friends if in-person gatherings aren’t an option. There are also online exercise classes that can help you stay active. (AARP has a step-by-step guide on how to set up a Zoom account and use it to stay in touch with family and friends, as well as resources to help reduce social isolation during the winter season.)

“[The pandemic] tried, socially and medically,” Lachs says. “However, it also demonstrated the incredible resilience of many older people, their strengths and their creativity.”

Rachel Nania writes about health care and health policy for AARP. Previously, she was a reporter and editor for WTOP radio in Washington, DC. The recipient of a Gracie Award and an Edward R. Murrow Regional Award, she also participated in a Dementia Research Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.