The new variant has mutations that are capable of evading antibodies and could drive a winter wave, scientists warn
takes a look at the characteristics of Covid XEC and why scientists are concerned about its prominence, and a potential winter wave.First detected in Germany in June, the XEC variant has now been traced in 13 other countries including the UK.
However, scientists are concerned the prominence of XEC could surpass what it is currently the most hyper-infectious sub-variant, known as KP.3.1.1. Dr Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, expects XEC to be the next Covid challenge, but told thethat it would take months or weeks for the variant to really take hold and cause a wave.
Autumn booster jabs, updated to target the JN.1 variant, which was the most prominent last winter, is being made available for people aged 65 and over, elderly care home residents, NHS frontline workers and anyone aged six months and over who is clinically vulnerable. Professor Griffin told“We’re not even doing what we do for the seasonal flu. We’re doing nothing to limit the spread of the disease,” he said.
There are some positives, according to Professor Francois Balloux of University College London’s Genetics Institute. While still in its early stages of study, he understands XEC to be most comparable in the Covid family to JN.1, which was last winter’s most common variant, which means many people will have built immunity.
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