Rapid Spread of New Covid Variant JN.1 Raises Concerns as US Hospitalizations Increase

Despite the availability of a new vaccine, only 18% of eligible Americans have taken it, leaving a large portion of the population susceptible to the virus.

JN.1, a new and highly transmissible Covid variant, is rapidly spreading in the US, accounting for 44% of the country's Covid infections and is expected to become the dominant variant.
Covid hospitalizations in the US are increasing, with more than 23,000 admissions as of Dec. 9, 2023, indicating a potential new wave of the pandemic.
The new annual Covid-19 vaccine, which targets the XBB variant, is likely to protect against the Covid variants circulating this winter, including JN.1.
Despite the availability of the new vaccine, only about 18% of eligible Americans have taken it, leaving a large portion of the population susceptible to the virus.
Health experts are urging people to get vaccinated, wear masks in crowded public areas, and self-test for Covid infection before visiting vulnerable individuals.