US Health Official Says Updated COVID-19 Boosters Should Offer Protection Amid Tracking Emerging Variants

The U.S. health officials are tracking several coronavirus omicron subvariants that more easily evade immunity, rendering many treatments ineffective.
But the new booster shots should provide protection, said Dr. Ashish Jha, head of the White House Covid task force.
In September, the U.S. rolled out updated omicron-targeted boosters against the omicron BA.5 variant.
Pfizer Inc’s PFE new shots are available for individuals aged 12 and above, while adults ages 18 and older can receive Moderna Inc’s MRNA boosters.
Related: As Moderna Grapples With Supply Shortage, FDA Gives Nod To Additional Lots of COVID-19 Booster.
According to CDC data, omicron BA.5 is causing about 80% of new infections in the U.S. Other subvariants such as BA.2.75, BA.4.6, and BF.7 are also causing the infection but are small in number.
In a CNBC report, Jha said health officials expect infections to increase from November through January, adding that it is hard to predict whether there will be a significant surge because the virus is evolving.
Jha also criticized Congress for failing to pass the White House’s request for $22 billion in Covid funding.
“No doubt about it, that our response has been hampered by that lack of funding,” Jha said.
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