omicron variant

FDA scientific advisers reviewed whether the next round of shots should only include protection against the newest variants that are now dominant worldwide — a branch of the omicron family tree named XBB.

There is still no formal evidence that conjunctivitis is connected to XBB.1.16, which is only beginning to spread globally but makes up less than 5% of the Florida cases and 12% of those nationwide.

A University of Florida epidemiologist updates us on the vaccine, side affects, who's paying for it and the latest forecast for subvariants.

Although reported cases are trending down in Florida, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 continues to mutate. The latest subvariant, called XBB.1.5, has mutations that make it highly transmissible and somewhat resistant to vaccines and past infection.

The new omicron-targeting booster added 30% to 56% protection against symptomatic infection, depending on how many prior vaccinations someone had, how long ago and their age, the CDC concluded.

Health experts are encouraging people to get the booster to help prevent another holiday surge, but many people have not answered the call.

Step aside, BA.5. The new variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, appear to be among the most adept yet at evading immunity from previous infection and vaccination.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has signed off on updated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines that target the original virus and the omicron subvariants.

The new shots from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech target both the original strain of the coronavirus and the omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants that most people are catching now.

The Food and Drug Administration is planning to authorize a new generation of COVID-19 boosters this week that for the first time will target the omicron variant.