U.S. Faces Rise of New COVID FLiRT Variants Amid Low Vaccination Rates

The FLiRT variants, more transmissible than previous strains, have become dominant as health experts push for updated vaccinations.

New COVID FLiRT variants, including KP.2 and KP.1.1, now account for a significant portion of cases nationwide, with KP.2 estimated at 25%.
Health officials emphasize the importance of staying up-to-date with vaccinations as immunity from previous doses wanes over time.
Despite the rise in variant cases, there is no significant increase in COVID hospitalizations, suggesting a higher level of community immunity.
The FLiRT variants are descendants of the Omicron strain, known for their ability to evade antibodies from past infections and vaccinations.
Updated COVID vaccines targeting these variants are expected to be available by fall, as current boosters show diminished efficacy against FLiRT strains.