New COVID-19 Omicron Variant Spreading In MA Ahead Of Holidays

MASSACHUSETTS — A new version of the omciron variant of coronavirus is circulating widely in Massachusetts — a reminder to residents to get vaccinated ahead of holiday gatherings, health officials say.

According to the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, the omicron BQ.1.1 variant accounted for close to 40 percent of all coronavirus cases in the state recently, the Boston Globe reported Monday. Nationwide, BQ.1.1 and its prior version, BQ.1. accounted for about 50 percent of all coronavirus cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

New research suggests that BQ.1.1 may be better at evading antibodies acquired through either virus exposure or vaccination. Subvariants like BQ.1.1 may also be better at evading coronavirus treatments like monoclonal antibodies, according to new research.

The chief COVID-19 vaccine makers, Moderna and Pfizer, have both released new shots updated to fight omicron variants, BA.5 in particular. The updated booster likely offers more protection against variants like BQ.1.1 than previous versions, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Division of Infectious Diseases Daniel Kuritzkes told the Globe.

The previous omicron variant of concern, BA.5, has been pushed aside by the two newer variants, accounting for about 24 percent of cases nationwide last week, according to the CDC.

Over the week ending Nov. 16, the state Department of Public Health reported about 4,500 new COVID-19 cases statewide, 562 people hospitalized and 72 new deaths.

The previous versions of the COVID-19 vaccine, plus the new omicron boosters, are available widely across the state right now. Find a vaccine appointment on the state Vaxfinder website.