November 08, 2022
A new set of COVID-19 variants are competing to become the next dominant strain.
As we head into the winter months, public health officials are closely monitoring the rise of a few more Omicron subvariants that appear to be gaining ground on BA.5 in the U.S. These include BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, and BA 4.6.
Even with arrival of new Omicron subvariants, the COVID-19 vaccines remain the best option to prevent severe disease, public health officials have noted.
“While we are looking at a vast genetic diversity of Omicron sublineages, they currently display similar clinical outcomes, but with differences in immune escape potential,” the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a recent statement. “The potential impact of these variants is strongly influenced by the regional immune landscape.”
Here are five things to know:
HAP encourages everyone to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations and follow the proper public health precautions to reduce the spread of the virus. Learn more about how you can protect yourself and others this winter.
The latest about COVID-19 variants is available online.
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