BQ.1.1 is now almost overtaking BA.5 as the most prevalent coronavirus variant in the US. This variant is more immune evasive than BA.5. Fortunately preliminary immunological data suggests the BA.5 boosters should protect well against BQ.1.1.
For those that haven't received the updated boosters yet, this further underscores the need to get them now before this variant becomes dominant during the coming months.
Everyone 5 and over is eligible for them.
Moderna's updated data also confirms Pfizer's recent results that the Omicron-specific BA.5 boosters provide an immune response that is better than the original booster. Make sure you go and get the new boosters in time for Thanksgiving!
Another reminder to be cautious with preprints for this exact reason.
The BA.5 geometric mean titer(GMT) ratios of the BA.5 booster versus the original booster were 5.11 (95% CI: 4.10, 6.36) and 6.29 (95% CI: 5.27, 7.51) forthose with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection pre-booster, respectively. For those without prior infection, the GMT was 2,325 (95% CI: 1,321.2, 2,812.7), fora 26.4-fold increase (95% CI: 22.0, 31.9) and for those with prior infection, the GMT was 6,965 (95% CI: 6,043.7,8,025.4), for a 9.8-fold (95% CI: 8.4, 11.4), increase from pre-booster levels. Results were similar between younger and older adults.