A new coronavirus variant has become dominant, but fewer hospitalizations this winter than last

Thomas Russo is quoted in a NBC News story discussing how the JN.1 COVID variant is growing dominant and yet fewer people are being hospitalized. Russo said he does not expect JN.1 to lengthen the winter COVID wave relative to historical trends, but he advises getting the updated vaccine. “The immunity that we’ve built up from prior infection and vaccinations — unless you got the most recent formulation that came out this fall — is really waning over time,” Russo said. “That’s part of why we’re going to be at increased risk for infections with JN.1.”