Key Takeaways
The new COVID-19 variant, XEC, is spreading rapidly in Europe and may soon become the dominant variant worldwide. XEC is a recombinant variant composed of two JN.1-related strains. A CDC spokesperson said current COVID-19 vaccines are expected to provide some protection against XEC and other circulating variants.
A new COVID-19 variant called XEC is spreading rapidly in Europe.
According to researchers at the University of Glasgow, XEC is better at growing than other circulating variants and “has the potential to become the dominant variant globally within the next few months.”
Although several cases of XEC have been reported in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not yet begun tracking the new variant.
According to Dr. Andrew Pecos, professor and associate dean of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, XEC is a “recombinant” variant made up of two JN.1-related variants (KS.1.1 and KP.3.3).
The new variant’s spike protein – the part of the virus that enters human cells and causes infection – is related to JN.1 and KP.2, which are the targets of the latest COVID vaccines.
“The match isn’t perfect,” Pecos said, “but it’s close enough for scientists to be confident that the vaccine will provide significant protection.”
Pecos added that COVID-19 does not appear to be a seasonal disease like influenza, even though a COVID-19 vaccine is released each fall. “We are seeing high numbers of COVID-19 cases year-round,” he said.
The variants that are emerging are all related to the Omicron variant, and Dr. Harish Moorjani, an infectious disease specialist at Phelps Hospital in Briar Cliff Manor, New York, said having a previous Omicron infection and getting vaccinated could potentially protect you from getting severe COVID.
CDC spokesperson Melissa Brower Dibble said the agency is recommending COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older in 2024-2025 to protect against XEC and other variants.
At this time, Brower-Dibble said, “We expect that COVID-19 treatments and vaccines will continue to be effective against all circulating variants. CDC will continue to monitor the effectiveness of treatments and vaccines against circulating variants.”
What this means for you
XEC is spreading rapidly, but current vaccines are hopeful that they may be protective. Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination to reduce your risk of severe COVID.
The information in this article is current as of the date stated, but more recent information may be available by the time you read this article. For the latest information on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
By Fran Kritz
Critz is a medical reporter specializing in health policy. She was previously a staff writer for Forbes and U.S. News & World Report.
Thank you for the feedback!
What’s your feedback?
Other useful error reports
Source link
