Tue Jun 24 06:50:00 UTC 2025: ## News Article: New COVID-19 Variant NB.1.8.1 Rapidly Spreading in the US, Projected to Be Second Most Common Strain

**Washington D.C.** – A new COVID-19 variant, designated NB.1.8.1, is quickly gaining ground in the United States, projected to account for 37% of cases, according to the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This surge marks a significant increase from its near-undetectable presence in the country just months ago.

First identified in China in January, NB.1.8.1 was virtually non-existent in the U.S. until May. The variant is described as a slightly upgraded version of the currently dominant LP.8.1 (Omicron) strain.

While the World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the global public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 as low, they also advised that currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against severe disease and symptomatic infection from this variant.

“NB.1.8.1 is likely to spread more rapidly and evade our immune defenses more easily than LP.8.1, which is why this variant requires careful monitoring,” explains Subhash Verma, microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. Verma noted that NB.1.8.1 may be able to be transferred more easily than LP.8.1 and evade antibodies created by vaccines or past infections more easily than LP.8.1.

While the CDC has not identified unique symptoms specific to NB.1.8.1, reports have surfaced of an “extremely sore throat,” often described as a “razor blade throat,” being associated with the variant. Common COVID-19 symptoms, as outlined by the CDC, remain relevant.

[See symptoms list from original text.]

The CDC continues to advise seeking medical care for severe symptoms such as:

[See when to seek care list from original text.]

In a webpage dated Jan. 7, 2025, the CDC advises that everyone over the age of six months get the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, specifically the 2024-2025 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. The CDC also suggests the vaccine for those who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine, are age 65 and older, are immunocompromised, live at a long-term care facility, are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, and/or want to avoid getting long COVID.

However, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on May 27 that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. Under the changes, the only people who will be recommended for COVID-19 vaccines are those over 65 and people with existing health problems. This could make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get it, including health care workers and healthy people under 65 with a vulnerable family member or those who want to reduce their short-term risk of infection. This could mean that some who still wish to receive the vaccine may have to pay out of pocket, if they are able to access it at all.

The federal program, Increasing Community Access to Testing, Treatment and Response (ICATT), continues to provide free COVID-19 testing to individuals without health insurance at over 19,000 locations nationwide. To find a testing site near you, visit testinglocator.cdc.gov/Search.

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