On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a "variant of interest," clarifying that it does not present a significant health risk to the public.
According to WHO, the current evaluation of the global public health risk posed by JN.1 is low, based on the available evidence. Previously, JN.1 was categorized as a variant of interest within the parent lineage BA.2.86.
The WHO assured that existing vaccines remain effective in protecting against severe disease and death caused by JN.1 and other variants of the COVID-19 virus that are currently circulating.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the JN.1 subvariant constitutes an estimated 15% to 29% of cases in the United States as of December 8, based on the agency's projections. The CDC emphasized that there is presently no evidence indicating an elevated risk to public health from JN.1 compared to other circulating variants. Furthermore, the CDC suggested that an updated vaccine shot could offer continued protection against the JN.1 variant.
JN.1 was initially identified in the United States in September, according to information from the CDC.
In a separate development, China identified seven cases of the COVID subvariant last week.
