COVID Nimbus Variant Now Leads the U.S. as Cases Grow in 27 States and Emergency Visits Rise
(www.medicaldaily.com)
2025-2026 vaccine vs the new dominant variant, visualized:
The 2025-2026 vaccine was for LP.8.1, which is short for BA.2.86.1.1.11.1.1.1.3.8.1.
But the new dominant variant, NB.1.8.1, is (((BA.2.75.3.1.1.1 + BA.2.10.1.1).1.9.1.13.4.1 + (BA.2.75.3.1.1.1 + BA.2.10.1.1).1.19.1.5.1.1) + BA.2.86.1.1).1.5.1.1.8.1
NB.1.8.1 is short for XDV.1.5.1.1.8.1
XDV is a recombinant variant of XDE and JN.1
XDE is a recombinant variant of FL.13.4.1 and GW.5.1.1
FL.13.4.1 is short for XBB.1.9.1.13.4.1
XBB is a recombinant variant of BM.1.1.1 and BJ.1
BM.1.1.1 is short for BA.2.75.3.1.1.1
BJ.1 is short for BA.2.10.1.1
GW.5.1.1 is short for XBB.1.19.1.5.1.1
XBB is a recombinant variant of BM.1.1.1 and BJ.1
BM.1.1.1 is short for BA.2.75.3.1.1.1
BJ.1 is short for BA.2.10.1.1
JN.1 is short for BA.2.86.1.1
spoiler Abbreviated:
NB.1.8.1
XDV.1.5.1.1.8.1
(XDE + JN.1).1.5.1.1.8.1
((FL.13.4.1 + GW.5.1.1) + BA.2.86.1.1).1.5.1.1.8.1
((XBB.1.9.1.13.4.1 + XBB.1.19.1.5.1.1) + BA.2.86.1.1).1.5.1.1.8.1
(((BA.2.75.3.1.1.1 + BA.2.10.1.1).1.9.1.13.4.1 + (BA.2.75.3.1.1.1 + BA.2.10.1.1).1.19.1.5.1.1) + BA.2.86.1.1).1.5.1.1.8.1
:::
The 2026-2027 vaccine is planned to target XFG (LP.8.1.2 + LF.7, or BA.2.86.1.1.11.1.1.1.3.8.1.2 + BA.2.86.1.1.1.16.1.7). Here is XFG vs Nimbus and the 2025-2026 vaccine target (LP.8.1)
Health authorities are monitoring whether an NB.1.8.1-specific update to the vaccine formulation will be needed for the fall 2026 vaccine cycle
Is that even an option at this point? Prebooking the 2026-2027 vaccine is already open for clinics, and based on past years, it may be available about 5 weeks from now