Rapidly spreading JN.1 variant: What you need to know

The JN.1 variant of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading and becoming the dominant version of the virus, accounting for a significant percentage of COVID-19 cases in the US and globally. However, there is no evidence to suggest that JN.1 causes more severe illness than earlier variants. Symptoms of JN.1 appear to be similar to previous variants, with sore throat and congestion being common. The World Health Organization has designated JN.1 as a "variant of interest" due to its potential to drive new cases and evade immunity. Vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer have shown effectiveness against JN.1, but low vaccination rates highlight the need for people to stay up to date with their shots. Scientists anticipate ongoing challenges in keeping up with the evolving virus.