"Emerging COVID Variants EG.5, FL.1.5.1, and BA.2.86: What You Need to Know"

Health authorities are monitoring the spread of three new COVID-19 variants in the US: EG.5, FL.1.5.1, and BA.2.86. EG.5 is currently the dominant strain, followed by FL.1.5.1. These variants share a mutation known as F456L, which may contribute to their increased spread. Symptoms for these variants appear to be largely the same as previous strains, and COVID-19 tests are expected to work for them. Vaccine makers anticipate that the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine boosters will be effective against EG.5 and FL.1.5.1. However, it is uncertain whether BA.2.86 could impact the effectiveness of the vaccines.