CDC, increased infection risk in vaccinated

BA.2.86 may be more capable of causing infection in people who have previously had COVID-19 or who have received COVID-19 vaccines.

New variant and vaccine escape

Risk Assessment Summary for SARS CoV-2 Sublineage BA.2.86

BA.2.86, detected in Denmark and Israel

At least two cases in the United States.

UK Health Security Agency, UK case, no recent travel history

Cases not epidemiologically linked

(therefore already widespread)

Multiple genetic differences from previous SARS-CoV-2

Existing tests appear to be effective

BA.2.86 may be more capable of causing infection in people who have previously had COVID-19 or who have received COVID-19 vaccines.

? stimulation of T suppressor (regulatory) cells

? stimulation of IgG4

No evidence BA.2.86 causing more severe illness.

Updated vaccines will be available as early as mid-September

What can you do to protect yourself and others as we learn more?

Get your COVID-19 vaccines, as recommended

COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe, Effective, and Free

Everyone 6 months and older should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

BA.2.86

Many spike protein changes

(explain vaccine immune escape)

Could out compete common EG.5

(Latest COVID-19 booster vaccines are based on XBB.1.5)

Jesse Bloom, viral evolutionary biologist, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Seattle, Washington

“I don’t think anybody needs to be alarmed by this,”

“The most likely scenario is that this variant fizzles out, and in a month nobody other than people like me even remember that it existed.”

Even if BA.2.86 does becomes widespread,

and proves adept at dodging neutralizing antibodies,

which seems likely, on the basis of its set of spike mutations,

other forms of immunity will probably stop most people from getting seriously ill if they are infected