A new family of variants of COVID-19 are doing rounds in the US- the ‘FLiRT’ variants. These variants are also from the deadly lineage of the Omicron variant but are derivatives of the JN.1, the variant that caused a surge in cases at the start of the year.&nbsp;

The letters in FLiRT variants are based on the technical names of their mutations, one which includes the letters F and L, and another one includes the letters R and T. Within this group of variants, one particular variant is of rising concern: KP.2.

As per the data gathered from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), KP.2 has accounted for about 25 per cent of new sequenced cases during the two weeks ending April 27. However, other FLiRT variants, like KP.1.1, have not become as widespread in the US yet.&nbsp;

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But is this family of variants of concern?

<h2>Concerns around FLiRT variants</h2>

As per reports, researchers are still studying and gathering more information on FLiRT variants. Talking to Time, Dr Eric Topol, Executive Vice President at Scripps Research, said that the KP.2 variant from the family of variants is on the rise in the US, but it will be too soon to tell whether it will cause a major surge in cases in coming months.

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For now, the amount of Covid-19 viruses in US wastewater remains “minimal,” according to the CDC. Hospitalisations and deaths have also continued to decline steadily since their recent peaks in January. At the global level, case counts rose from early to mid-April, but remain far lower than they were a few months ago.

Watch |&nbsp;Covid-19 makes global comeback; new Omicron sub-variant JN.1 causes global concern | WION

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KP.2 and its relatives are likely to cause an uptick in cases in the States, but won’t cause a big wave, says Topol. “It might be a ‘wavelet.’” That’s because people who were recently infected by the JN.1 variant seem to have some protection against re-infection, Topol believes. Also, the virus hasn’t mutated enough to become wildly different from the previous strains.

A recent study from researchers in Japan, which was posted online before being peer-reviewed, also found that KP.2 is less infectious than JN.1.

Do vaccines work on FLiRT variants?

Vaccines are still a good prevention and protection option against any COVID-19-related hospitalisation and death. However, two preliminary studies, from Japan and China, show the FLiRT variants may be better at dodging immune protection from vaccines than JN.1 was.

And this is not a good sign, as many people, who got the recent booster shots, got it last fall. This means their protection has begun to diminish, Topol says.

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It is still advisable to rely on vaccines. In an April 26 statement, the World Health Organization recommended basing future vaccine formulations on the JN.1 lineage, since it seems the virus will continue to evolve from that variant. The most recent booster was based on an older strain, XBB.1.5.

The virus is bound to evolve, but public health advice remains the same - vaccinate yourself, test before big gatherings, stay home when you’re ill and consider wearing masks in public places.

(With inputs from agencies)

A new family of variants of COVID-19 are doing rounds in the US- the ‘FLiRT’ variants. These variants are also from the deadly lineage of the Omicron variant but are derivatives of the JN.

A new family of variants of COVID-19 are doing rounds in the US- the ‘FLiRT’ variants. These variants are also from the deadly lineage of the Omicron variant but are derivatives of the JN.1, the variant that caused a surge in cases at the start of the year. The letters in FLiRT variants are based on the technical names of their mutations, one which includes the letters F and L, and another one includes the letters R and T. Within this group of variants, one particular variant is of rising concern: KP.2. As per the data gathered from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), KP.2 has accounted for about 25 per cent of new sequenced cases during the two weeks ending April 27. However, other FLiRT variants, like KP.1.1, have not become as widespread in the US yet. Also Read | Pro-Palestine and Pro-Israel protestors clash at UCLA campus, police asked to step in But is this family of variants of concern? Concerns around FLiRT variants As per reports, researchers are still studying and gathering more information on FLiRT variants. Talking to Time, Dr Eric Topol, Executive Vice President at Scripps Research, said that the KP.2 variant from the family of variants is on the rise in the US, but it will be too soon to tell whether it will cause a major surge in cases in coming months. Also Read | Blinken urges Hamas to accept Gaza truce as he meets Israel leaders For now, the amount of Covid-19 viruses in US wastewater remains “minimal,” according to the CDC. Hospitalisations and deaths have also continued to decline steadily since their recent peaks in January. At the global level, case counts rose from early to mid-April, but remain far lower than they were a few months ago. Watch | Covid-19 makes global comeback; new Omicron sub-variant JN.1 causes global concern | WION × KP.2 and its relatives are likely to cause an uptick in cases in the States, but won’t cause a big wave, says Topol. “It might be a ‘wavelet.’” That’s because people who were recently infected by the JN.1 variant seem to have some protection against re-infection, Topol believes. Also, the virus hasn’t mutated enough to become wildly different from the previous strains. A recent study from researchers in Japan, which was posted online before being peer-reviewed, also found that KP.2 is less infectious than JN.1. Do vaccines work on FLiRT variants? Vaccines are still a good prevention and protection option against any COVID-19-related hospitalisation and death. However, two preliminary studies, from Japan and China, show the FLiRT variants may be better at dodging immune protection from vaccines than JN.1 was. And this is not a good sign, as many people, who got the recent booster shots, got it last fall. This means their protection has begun to diminish, Topol says. Also Read | 52-year-old climber dies in 1,000-foot fall from Alaska mountain It is still advisable to rely on vaccines. In an April 26 statement, the World Health Organization recommended basing future vaccine formulations on the JN.1 lineage, since it seems the virus will continue to evolve from that variant. The most recent booster was based on an older strain, XBB.1.5. The virus is bound to evolve, but public health advice remains the same - vaccinate yourself, test before big gatherings, stay home when you’re ill and consider wearing masks in public places. (With inputs from agencies)

New family of Covid-19 variants nicknamed ‘FLiRT’ are on the rise in US | All you need to know

Dr Anthony Fauci in a press conference at the White House, on Tuesday, urged Americans to take the new Covid booster shot after a recent study by the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that it offers better protection against symptomatic infection of COVID-19. It is also the first real-world data on the new omicron vaccines.&nbsp;

The study shows that the updated “bivalent” Covid booster shots of Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech which target&nbsp;both the omicron strain and the original coronavirus, provide better protection against Covid when compared to the original shots. The booster shot targeting omicron strains, protects against symptomatic infection, depending on prior vaccinations, age, and how long ago the individual took their last vaccine, said the CDC study.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-approves-covid-19-omicron-vaccine-for-children-as-young-as-5-524893">United States approves COVID-19 Omicron vaccine for children as young as 5</a>

This vaccine was rolled out back in September in a bid to counter the virus as it continues to mutate. “You need to update the protection,” said Fauci. He added that the new booster shot “clearly induces” a better immune response against BA.4 and BA.5 variants.&nbsp;

Speaking at his last briefing before retirement next month Fauci said that his final message from the White House podium is to “get your updated Covid-19 shot as soon as you’re eligible to protect yourself, your family and your community.” US’ top health official has been the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 and became central to the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

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The study analysed the data collected from over 360,000 people and said that it provides greater benefits to people aged 18-49 years when compared to the older age groups. When the new booster shot was given after eight months or more, the effectiveness compared with the original vaccines differed among age groups, 43 per cent (among people aged 65 years and older), 48 per cent (50-64-year-olds) and 56 per cent (among 18-49 year-olds).&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/the-worst-is-yet-to-come-study-finds-that-omicron-is-10-times-better-than-delta-at-evading-covid-vaccines-454212">'The worst is yet to come': Study finds that Omicron is 10 times better than Delta at evading Covid vaccines</a>

Notably, the effectiveness ranged between 28 to 31 per cent when the booster shots were given two to three months apart. “We think about it as the additional benefit or incremental benefit of getting one more dose, and in this case that one more dose is a bivalent,” said the lead author of the study, Dr. Ruth Link-Gelles, in the context that overall people were at least 30 to 40 per cent more protected with the new booster shot.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Dr Anthony Fauci in a press conference at the White House, on Tuesday, urged Americans to take the new Covid booster shot after a recent study by the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that it offers better protection against symptomatic infection of COVID-19.

Dr Anthony Fauci in a press conference at the White House, on Tuesday, urged Americans to take the new Covid booster shot after a recent study by the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that it offers better protection against symptomatic infection of COVID-19. It is also the first real-world data on the new omicron vaccines. The study shows that the updated “bivalent” Covid booster shots of Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech which target both the omicron strain and the original coronavirus, provide better protection against Covid when compared to the original shots. The booster shot targeting omicron strains, protects against symptomatic infection, depending on prior vaccinations, age, and how long ago the individual took their last vaccine, said the CDC study. ALSO READ: United States approves COVID-19 Omicron vaccine for children as young as 5 This vaccine was rolled out back in September in a bid to counter the virus as it continues to mutate. “You need to update the protection,” said Fauci. He added that the new booster shot “clearly induces” a better immune response against BA.4 and BA.5 variants. Speaking at his last briefing before retirement next month Fauci said that his final message from the White House podium is to “get your updated Covid-19 shot as soon as you’re eligible to protect yourself, your family and your community.” US’ top health official has been the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 and became central to the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ALSO WATCH: Will vaccines work against BA.2, the new sub-variant of Omicron? Covid-19 The study analysed the data collected from over 360,000 people and said that it provides greater benefits to people aged 18-49 years when compared to the older age groups. When the new booster shot was given after eight months or more, the effectiveness compared with the original vaccines differed among age groups, 43 per cent (among people aged 65 years and older), 48 per cent (50-64-year-olds) and 56 per cent (among 18-49 year-olds). ALSO READ: 'The worst is yet to come': Study finds that Omicron is 10 times better than Delta at evading Covid vaccines Notably, the effectiveness ranged between 28 to 31 per cent when the booster shots were given two to three months apart. “We think about it as the additional benefit or incremental benefit of getting one more dose, and in this case that one more dose is a bivalent,” said the lead author of the study, Dr. Ruth Link-Gelles, in the context that overall people were at least 30 to 40 per cent more protected with the new booster shot. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Fauci asks Americans to take Covid booster shots, after study finds them more effective

As per a new study, people who have been inoculated with a booster dose recover more than three days earlier from the Omicron variant of COVID-19 than the Delta variant.

Published in the Lancet medical journal, the study proved that the Omicron variant is less severe. It also confirms that those who have been infected by the variant are significantly less likely to lose their sense of smell.

For research, scientists used a free smartphone app called ZOE. To find out differences in how the two variants differ in making people sick, they used the app on which over 63,000 vaccinated Britons registered.

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They had self-reported their symptoms of coronavirus from June 2021 to January 2022. A difference of 3.3 days was recorded between those who have been vaccinated plus boosted and had been contracted with the two variants.

While the recovery period for those infected with the Omicron variant was 4.4 days, the period for those infected with the Delta variant was 3.3 days.

Meanwhile, those had been inoculated with both doses but no booster shot recovered from the Omicron variant in 8.3 days in comparison to 9.6 days for the Delta variant as per the study.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sees-multiple-covid-19-outbreaks-driven-by-stealth-omicron-should-the-world-be-wary-462208">Also read |&nbsp;China sees multiple COVID-19 outbreaks driven by 'stealth omicron'. Should the world be wary?</a>

Researchers said, "that the period of infectiousness might be shorter, which would in turn impact workplace health policies and public health guidance."

They will represent the study later this month at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Lisbon.

"Recent data from the app show no change in symptoms in BA.2 compared to BA.1," according to study author Cristina Menni of King's College London.&nbsp;

Scientists also found out that getting infected with the Omicron variant increases the risk of getting a sore throat by 55 per cent.&nbsp;

However, Omicron patients are 25 per cent less likely to be admitted to a hospital in comparison with Delta patients.

(With inputs from agencies)

As per a new study, people who have been inoculated with a booster dose recover more than three days earlier from the Omicron variant of COVID-19 than the Delta variant.

As per a new study, people who have been inoculated with a booster dose recover more than three days earlier from the Omicron variant of COVID-19 than the Delta variant. Published in the Lancet medical journal, the study proved that the Omicron variant is less severe. It also confirms that those who have been infected by the variant are significantly less likely to lose their sense of smell. For research, scientists used a free smartphone app called ZOE. To find out differences in how the two variants differ in making people sick, they used the app on which over 63,000 vaccinated Britons registered. They had self-reported their symptoms of coronavirus from June 2021 to January 2022. A difference of 3.3 days was recorded between those who have been vaccinated plus boosted and had been contracted with the two variants. While the recovery period for those infected with the Omicron variant was 4.4 days, the period for those infected with the Delta variant was 3.3 days. Meanwhile, those had been inoculated with both doses but no booster shot recovered from the Omicron variant in 8.3 days in comparison to 9.6 days for the Delta variant as per the study. Also read | China sees multiple COVID-19 outbreaks driven by 'stealth omicron'. Should the world be wary? Researchers said, "that the period of infectiousness might be shorter, which would in turn impact workplace health policies and public health guidance." They will represent the study later this month at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Lisbon. "Recent data from the app show no change in symptoms in BA.2 compared to BA.1," according to study author Cristina Menni of King's College London. Scientists also found out that getting infected with the Omicron variant increases the risk of getting a sore throat by 55 per cent. However, Omicron patients are 25 per cent less likely to be admitted to a hospital in comparison with Delta patients. (With inputs from agencies)

Study says people inoculated with booster dose recover more than three days earlier from Omicron than Delta

For the 1st time in 14 days, daily cases decreased due to lower testing over the weekend. Amid the battle against coronavirus, India began its booster program for frontline workers and for those above the age of 60.

3rd Covid dose for healthcare workers, senior citizens