The emergence of the XFG variant of COVID-19 has caused concern among health authorities around the world. This new variant, which has already been reported in 38 countries including the U.S., has caught the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO), leading to its inclusion on the “variant under monitoring” list.
With the rapid spread of the XFG variant, questions have arisen about its potential to overtake the NB.1.8.1 variant, which has become the dominant strain in many countries. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the NB.1.8.1 variant comprised 42% of COVID-19 samples in the U.S., while the XFG variant accounted for 14% during a specific time period. However, interpreting this data is challenging due to limitations in the U.S.’s COVID-19 surveillance system.
The WHO’s designation of XFG as a “variant under monitoring” indicates that public health authorities should closely monitor its spread and impact. While a VUM is not as concerning as a “variant of interest” or “variant of concern,” it signifies the need for continued surveillance and research. The XFG variant is a combination of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 variants, both of which are part of the Omicron family.
Despite the emergence of new variants, vaccines appear to be effective against the XFG variant. Scientists are currently studying the level of protection provided by existing vaccines against severe disease caused by XFG. As the global community continues to navigate the challenges posed by COVID-19 variants, ongoing research and surveillance will be crucial in understanding and combating the spread of new strains like XFG. Researchers conducted lab studies using human cells and a “pseudovirus” stand-in for XFG, as well as animal studies, and found slightly lower immune responses to XFG. While the data aren’t complete yet, these results are encouraging as they suggest that existing vaccines used in the U.S., which target JN.1, should continue to provide some protection against severe disease and hospitalization, even if it’s less robust than protection against the JN.1 variant specifically. WHO also states that genetic analysis of XFG shows that antiviral drugs like Paxlovid and remdesivir (Veklury) should also be effective against this variant.
XFG is derived from the JN.1 Omicron group, which is the target of the latest COVID-19 vaccine. This indicates that the current vaccines may still offer some level of protection against XFG, although further research is needed to fully understand the efficacy of existing vaccines against this variant.
Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the potential impact of XFG and the effectiveness of current vaccines and antiviral treatments. Continued research and surveillance will be essential in monitoring the spread and impact of this variant, as well as in developing targeted strategies to combat its effects.
