Interesting that despite the high levels of immune escape and antigenic divergence of both BQ.1* and XBB variants from other omicron variants & the growth being seen across the UK & US & other regions, neither has been designated a variant of concern by the UKHSA.
The WHO also does not designate these as separate variants despite the divergence from BA.2/5 being similar or greater than that of BA.2/5 from D641G. What is the point of having any nomenclature or warning system then? Surely these are VOCs in their own right?
They meet the criteria:
-XBB & BQ.1* growth has been seen in multiple countries- Singapore, US, UK & others
-growth has co-incided with increase in cases & hosp
have shown very high immune evasion in neutralisation studies
-they are very divergent from previous variants
-XBB & BQ.1* growth has been seen in multiple countries- Singapore, US, UK & others
-growth has co-incided with increase in cases & hosp
have shown very high immune evasion in neutralisation studies
-they are very divergent from previous variants
So, why are they not being considered as VOCs, given their own names, and importantly reported as linked to pandemic growth in many countries. E.g. in the UK, you'd be forgiven for not even knowing that BQ.1* variants had been growing with growth coinciding with the current wave.
Honestly, what is the point of genomic surveillance, if no action is ever taken- not even the most simple action of public messaging to make people aware of the threat posed by virus evolution - which is continuing rapidly & threatening current vaccines.
In the US, these variants are dominant, and have been growing rapidly. Where is the reporting on this, and the messaging around this, given the threat posed to immune protection?
Given the level of escape reported even to bivalent vaccines in neutralisation studies, one would think governments and public health agencies would care a bit more- as these are the only tools that are available & these variants appear resistant to monoclonals. What is the plan?
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