Sub-variant of BA.2.86 – designated JN.1- leaps to number 2 amongst circulating variants compiled by the CDC = have 16% of Americans taken the new booster?

A peek over the (anti-titer response) and C19 monovalent booster injection fence into the “noisy neighbour’s” yard.

In todays CDC CIDRAP report here:

US COVID activity jumps as JN.1 expands, brisk flu and RSV levels continue | CIDRAP (umn.edu)

We have this:

“CDC singles out JN.1 for tracking

JN.1 is proving to be the fastest-growing member of the BA.2.86 family, and variant trackers have projected that it could trigger the next COVID surges. Some countries in Europe have already reported sharp JN.1 spikes.

Today in its latest variant proportion update, the CDC singled out JN.1 from under the BA.2.86 umbrella, showing that over the last 2 weeks, the JN.1 level jumped from 8.1% to 21.4%. Also, JN.1 is now the second-most commonly detected variant, led only by HV.1, which is part of the XBB.1.9.2 lineage.

In a separate update on JN.1 today, the CDC said the continued growth of JN.1 suggests it is either more transmissible or better at evading the immune system. However, it added that there's no evidence that it poses an increased risk compared to other variants.”

Using data from here: CDC COVID Data Tracker: Variant Proportions

Two weeks ago on the left and today on the right:

Which reminded me of an article of a much followed SubStacker, Eric Topol.

(100) From a Detour to Global Dominance - by Eric Topol (substack.com)

Lots of variant detection analysis and methods which starts with this:

“In October, I wrote about a major detour in the evolutionary arc of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, from a series of recombinants known as the XBBs over a year to BA.2.86, a descendant of an early Omicron (BA.2), and its derivative JN.1 which added a pivotal spike mutation (L455S)."

And concludes with this:

“Unexpectedly, given the marked difference in mutations between XBB.1.5, the target of the monovalent “updated” booster compared with JN.1, there is very good cross-reactivity as demonstrated in 3 highly regarded labs (Yunlong Cao’s in Peking, David Ho’s at Columbia and David Veesler’s at U Washington).

These labs have preprint published data showing solid levels of neutralizing antibodies for the XBB.1.5 booster against JN.1, our best surrogate marker for protection vs severe Covid (hospitalizations and deaths). From the Ho lab report, note the similarity of levels of neutralizing antibodies for XBB.1.5 boosters (Pfizer or Moderna) as seen with JN.1. We’d expect the same for the Novavax booster which was not assessed in that study.”

Here's the three tab links

Yunlong Cao’s in Peking, David Ho’s at Columbia  David Veesler’s at U Washington

“This is lucky. Actually damn lucky if you look at the profound differences in sequence (across the spike below) for the booster’s XBB.1.5 target compared with JN.1. These major differences between XBB.1.5 and JN.1 extend well beyond the spike.”

“Given this anticipated protection of the booster vs JN.1—which was not anticipated—a strong case is made to get a booster, even though to date only 16% of eligible American adults have done so. If you haven’t, this would be a good time to get ready for the wave ahead, especially if you’re in a high-risk group such as advanced age, immunocompromised, or with co-existing conditions.”

Onwards!

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