However, the virus is still evolving into differentsubvariants, each with its own specific mutations.
But theres no need to panic.
Pekosz said we dont know how well XBB will compete with current Omicron variants in the U.S.
MarBom/Getty
Therefore, he said XBB is worth watching carefully.
Why Do Viruses Mutate?
Mutating viruses sounds scary, but its a normal thing for them to do.
For example, mutations have changed the spike protein of the COVID virus.
As a result, vaccines and treatments have had to adjust, too.
Is XBB More Contagious or Severe?
People who were reinfected with XBB initially got COVID before the Omicron period.
However, we need to see more data to know for sure whether XBB escapes Omicron immunity or not.
Is XBB More Severe?
Right now, there are no signs that XBB causes more severe COVID illness.
Will Vaccines and Treatments Work Against XBB?
However, Finkel said thatEvusheld(a combination ofmonoclonal antibodiestixagevimab and cilgavimab) might not work as well.
The updated shots provide better protection against the Omicron variant than the previous monovalentboostervaccines.
For now, the best way to protect yourself against COVID is still getting vaccinated and boosted.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
World Health Organization.TAG-VE statement on Omicron sublineages BQ.1 and XBB.
Callaway E.COVID variant soup is making winter surges hard to predict.Nature.
2020;5(4):529-530. doi:10.1038/s41564-020-0690-4
Ministry of Health Singapore.Vaccination Statistics.
New South Wales Agency for Clinical Innovation.Living evidence - SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Yunlong C, Fanchong J, Jing W, et al.Imprinted SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity induces convergent Omicron RBD evolution.bioRxiv.
Preprint posted online October 30, 2022. doi:10.1101/2022.09.15.507787
