Variant Overview
The XEC variant, part of the Omicron family, was first detected in in June and has since spread to , , , and the , with 95 cases documented worldwide by .
Health officials anticipate XEC to have similar properties to currently circulating variants, predicting no significant change in infection severity or vaccine effectiveness against severe disease.
Response and Vaccination
The and European health authorities are advising vaccinations ahead of a potential winter surge, emphasizing the importance of updated COVID-19 vaccines for protection against circulating and emerging variants.
Despite concerns over XEC's transmissibility, experts believe current vaccines will still offer protection, especially against severe illness and hospitalization, underscoring the importance of vaccination.