Uncovering the New COVID-19 Variants and Vaccines

With COVID-19 cases rising again, two new variants, known as BA.2.86 and EG.5, have been causing concern and new vaccines have been approved. Here’s what we know about each of them:

• BA.2.86: This variant was recently identified in small numbers outside the United States and has raised concerns that it may be more transmissible and able to evade immunity from vaccines and prior infections. It has more than 30 mutations to its spike protein compared to XBB.1.5, a variant of Omicron, which is how the coronavirus enters human cells. However, more research is needed to fully understand the implications of this variant.
• EG.5: This variant became the dominant variant in the United States in August 2023. It has mutations that enhance its ability to be transmitted from person to person and may also allow it to escape some of the prior immunity. However, it’s important to note that the severity of cases caused by EG.5 and other COVID-19 variants is generally not as severe as earlier waves of the pandemic.

Symptoms of these variants are not significantly different from other COVID-19 variants, and the best way to protect against them is to get vaccinated and follow public health guidelines. In anticipation of the fall virus season, the FDA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have approved updated COVID-19 vaccine shots nationwide.

The FDA has approved and authorized updated mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer that have been formulated to closely target current COVID-19 variants, which now include a monovalent component that corresponds to the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant. These updated vaccines are approved for individuals 12 years and older and are authorized for emergency use for those six months through 11 years old. With the approval of these updated vaccines, the bivalent Moderna and Pfizer -BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States. Here is what you need to know about the updated vaccines:

• Individuals five years of age and older, regardless of previous vaccination, are eligible for a single dose of an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after at least two months since the last dose.
• Unvaccinated individuals six months to four years old can receive three doses of the updated authorized Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or two doses of the updated Moderna vaccine.
• Side effects may be similar to previously reported mRNA COVID-19 vaccine side effects.
• Updated vaccines are expected to provide good protection against COVID-19 variants.
• Vaccines may need to be updated annually, like the seasonal influenza vaccine.
• CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is expected to meet to discuss clinical recommendations for specific populations, for example, immunocompromised and older adults.
• Updated vaccines are expected to be available this fall.

References:
[1] BA.2.86 and EG.5: How will the new COVID-19 boosters work with new variants? UC Davis Health website. https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/ba286-and-eg5-how-will-the-new-covid-19-boosters-work-with-new-variants-/2023/09. Accessed September 22, 2023.

[2] What to Know About the New Covid Variants. The New York Times website. https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-variant.html. Accessed September 22, 2023.

[3] New COVID variants EG.5, FL.1.5.1 and BA.2.86 are spreading. Here's what to know. CBS News website. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-covid-2023-variant-eg5-strain-what-to-know/. Accessed September 22, 2023.

[4] Will BA.2.86 ('Pirola'), the New Coronavirus Variant, Increase COVID-19 Cases? Yale Medicine website. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/new-covid-variant-ba286-pirola. Accessed September 22, 2023.

[5] New COVID Variants and a Rise in Cases - What We Know About EG.5 (Eris) and BA.2.86. YouTube website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=jHqvD7yYMOs&t=77. Accessed September 22, 2023.

[6] The New COVID Variants BA.2.86 And EG.5 Symptoms: Experts Explain How To Spot And Treat The Strains. Women’s Health Magazine website. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a44890819/new-covid-variants-ba286-eg5-symptoms/. Accessed September 22, 2023.

[7] FDA Takes Action on Updated mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines to Better Protect Against Currently Circulating Variants. U.S. Food & Drug Administration website. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-action-updated-mrna-covid-19-vaccines-better-protect-against-currently-circulating. Accessed September 22, 2023.