A recent study reveals that the subvariant BA.4.6 can result in reinfections. Numerous additional subvariants possible in the future could accomplish the same.

Threatening both those who have received vaccinations and those who have already been infected, an Omicron subvariant is showing signs of immune dodging once more.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, BA.5 has been found in about 68% of new cases, while BA.4.6 has been found in just over 12% of new Covid cases in the United States as of Friday. There are many other strains that scientists around the world are keeping a watch on in addition to these subvariants. Other Omicron subvariants that have aroused curiosity from scientists, as well as concerns, include BF.7, BQ.1, and BQ.1.1. (Those three actually make up about 5% of all new cases in the United States).

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Greek characters like alpha and delta were once used to identify Covid. Since the emergence of the Omicron variant, all subvariants of that variant have evolved into separate subvariants.

Dr. Dan Barouch, head of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and one of the study’s authors, said that it is “astonishing to see how the virus keeps mutating at such a rapid rate.” Basically, “this is viral evolution on steroids.” 

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Only 35 participants in Barouch’s study had either received the Covid vaccine or had an Omicron infection, making it a small study. The majority had received at least three doses of Covid vaccination, independent of prior infection. Antibodies intended to neutralise BA.4.6 were almost two times less abundant in blood samples than antibodies intended to neutralise BA.5.