For the week ending October 22, CDC reports that Omicron variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 roughly doubled in prevalence from the prior week, and are now outcompeting all other Omicron variants, accounting for 17% of cases nationwide. Some areas of the country, including New York City, have seen even greater increases in BQ.1/BQ.1.1 approximating 30% of cases. See HERE
The BQ.1x variants are genetic offspring of the BA.5 variant and appear to be outcompeting all other variants circulating in the US due to a comparatively greater level of immune-evasiveness. As of now, the BQ.1x variants share the same clinical symptoms as other Omicron variants and do not appear to cause more severe disease. The extent to which the new COVID-19 bivalent booster protects against infection is uncertain, however, public health authorities expect existing COVID-19 vaccines and anti-viral therapeutics should still provide effective protective against severe disease and hospitalization. See HERE
The CDC recently recommended adding COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to the child and adult routine immunization schedules (6 months and older), which is not a legal mandate, but solely guidance for decision-makers, including state/local governments and school districts. The interim COVID-19 immunization guidelines can be found HERE.
Original source found here.
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