Mon Jan 13 11:30:00 UTC 2025: ## COVID-19 to Remain a Persistent Threat in 2025, Experts Predict

**London, UK** – Despite the COVID-19 pandemic being five years in the past, the virus is expected to continue circulating globally throughout 2025, according to leading experts. Three infectious disease specialists interviewed by Newsweek predict that the threat level will largely mirror that of 2024.

Professor Jonathan Ball, a molecular virologist, anticipates outbreaks linked to new variants and waning immunity. Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, agrees, stating that the trajectory of COVID-19 in 2025 will depend on vaccine uptake, variant evolution, and public adherence to pandemic lessons. Unless behavioral changes occur, he expects 2025 to resemble 2024. Professor Christophe Fraser, an infectious disease epidemiologist, echoes this sentiment, forecasting continued high-level viral circulation and the emergence of one or two new Omicron-descendant variants.

While a significantly different variant could drastically alter the situation, experts deem this unlikely. The current virus lacks the selective pressure to drive such dramatic change, although the possibility remains. Dr. Hopkins highlights the challenge posed by ongoing vaccine hesitancy and public health mistrust. Professor Fraser emphasizes the negative impact of the politicization of public health, hindering international collaboration and accurate risk communication.

Despite the persistent threat, experts stress the crucial role of vaccines in mitigating severe illness and death. They urge continued vaccination, particularly for vulnerable populations and the elderly, acknowledging the need for ongoing support for those with long COVID.

However, there is cautious optimism. Advancements in viral sequencing, AI, and evolutionary modeling are improving variant prediction and response times, allowing for quicker vaccine adaptation. Promising research on intranasal vaccines offers hope for broader protection in the future. The experts’ consensus, however, points to a continued need for vigilance and responsible public health measures in 2025.

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