Omicron BQ Covid variants that threaten people with compromised immune systems now dominant in U.S.

The omicron BQ coronavirus subvariants person risen to dominance successful the U.S. arsenic radical stitchery and question for the Thanksgiving holiday, putting radical with compromised immune systems astatine accrued risk.

BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are causing 57% of caller infections successful the U.S., according to information published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention connected Friday. The omicron BA.5 subvariant, erstwhile dominant, present makes up lone a 5th of caller Covid cases.

The BQ subvariants are much immune evasive and apt resistant to cardinal antibody medications, specified arsenic Evusheld and bebtelovimab, utilized by radical with compromised immune systems, according to the National Institutes of Health. This includes organ transplant and crab chemotherapy patients.

There are presently nary replacements for these drugs. President Joe Biden, successful an October speech, told radical with compromised immune systems that they should consult with their physicians and instrumentality other precautions this winter.

"New variants may marque immoderate existing protections ineffective for the immunocompromised. Sadly, this means you whitethorn beryllium astatine a peculiar hazard this winter," Biden said.

The XBB subvariant is besides circulating astatine a debased level close now, causing astir 3% of caller infections. Dr. Anthony Fauci, successful a White House briefing earlier this week, said XBB is adjacent much immune evasive than the BQ subvariants.

Fauci said the caller boosters, which were designed against omicron BA.5, astir apt aren't arsenic effectual against corruption and mild unwellness from XBB. But the shots should support against terrible disease, helium said. Singapore saw a spike successful cases from XBB, but determination wasn't a large surge successful hospitalizations, helium added.

Moderna and Pfizer said past week that their boosters induce an immune effect against BQ.1.1, which is simply a descendent of the BA.5 subvariant.

Fauci, successful the property briefing this week, said nationalist wellness officials judge determination is capable immunity from vaccination, boosting and corruption to forestall a repetition of the unprecedented Covid surge that occurred past wintertime erstwhile omicron archetypal arrived.