All articles tagged with #omicron subvariant
The Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) COVID-19 subvariant, a rapidly spreading Omicron strain, has become dominant in the U.S. and New Jersey, causing severe sore throats and other symptoms, with cases rising and accounting for over a third of U.S. cases, while overall COVID hospitalizations decline.
Over 7 million Americans have received the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna or Pfizer and BioNTech, targeting the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant. Distribution of the vaccines began in September, and millions of doses of another updated vaccine from Novavax have also been made available. Despite reports of difficulties in booking appointments or finding shots at no cost, U.S. public health officials remain optimistic and recommend that everyone aged 6 months and older receive the new vaccines.
Moderna announced that its latest Covid booster is effective against the BA.2.86 omicron subvariant, which has raised concerns due to its high number of mutations. The booster generated a strong antibody response against BA.2.86, according to Moderna. Although the variant has not yet become widespread in the United States, it has alarmed experts and health officials. The data provided by Moderna has not been reviewed by outside scientists, but the company is the first to release data on the effectiveness of its booster against the new variant. The current surge in Covid cases and hospitalizations in the U.S. is primarily driven by infections with XBB lineage viruses, not the BA.2.86 variant, according to the CDC. Moderna's updated booster, along with boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax, is expected to be authorized by the FDA soon and is designed to target the XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant.
With the emergence of the new COVID-19 variant "Pirola," a new vaccine specifically targeting the Omicron subvariant xbb1.5 is expected to be released by the end of September. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will discuss the vaccine on September 12, followed by CDC approval. The vaccine will be crucial for older populations, as Omicron subvariants currently dominate COVID cases in the US. Dr. Laura Morris advises patients to consult their doctors if they recently received a different booster. While COVID numbers remain low in Columbia, Morris emphasizes the importance of staying vaccinated with the updated shot to better target prevalent subvariants. Although pandemic-era restrictions are unlikely to return, Morris urges the public to recognize that COVID is here to stay and should be approached similarly to the flu.
Moderna's new Covid vaccine has shown a strong immune response against the Eris variant and another rapidly spreading strain in an early clinical trial. The vaccine, designed to target the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, may also be effective against newer variants like Eris and Fornax. Pfizer's updated Covid shot has also demonstrated effectiveness against XBB.1.5 and Eris in a recent trial on mice. The vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax are expected to be rolled out pending FDA approvals.
A new subvariant of Covid-19, called EG.5, which is an offshoot of the Omicron variant, is causing concern in Canada and other countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated EG.5 as a variant of interest and predicts it may become dominant globally. EG.5 has been circulating in Canada since at least May and made up 36% of cases between July 30 and August 5. The subvariant has also been found in the United States, Japan, and South Korea, but its connection to hospitalization rates is still unclear. EG.5 has been detected in wastewater surveillance in Canada. The next round of vaccine boosters is expected to specifically target the Omicron family, including EG.5, providing protection against this new subvariant.
Hospitals in Lexington, Kentucky are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 patients as more people are traveling and seeking refuge from record-breaking heat indoors. The CDC reports a 10% jump in nationwide COVID-19 hospitalizations from the previous week, with ER visitors testing positive for COVID-19 up nearly 50% compared to the previous month. Health experts attribute the rise to human behavior and emphasize the importance of hand hygiene, especially as a new school year approaches. The CDC hopes to increase vaccination rates, as only 17% of the U.S. population has received the latest bivalent COVID-19 vaccines.
The new COVID-19 subvariant XBB.1.16, also known as Arcturus, has reached reportable levels in the US and is causing an uptick in conjunctivitis, especially in children, according to reports from India. Experts are concerned that XBB.1.16 could shatter hopes of staving off a new coronavirus surge in the US before next winter. The strain is estimated to be behind 7% of COVID cases in the US and may get around immunity from vaccines and previous infections. However, it does not appear to cause more severe disease than other omicron subvariants.