1. WHO designates JN.1 coronavirus strain as “variant of interest.”
2. Current risk to global public health from JN.1 is assessed as low.
3. JN.1 was initially classified within the BA.2.86 lineage.
United Nations, Dec 20: The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a “variant of interest,” although it currently poses a low risk to global public health. JN.1 was initially categorized as a variant of interest within the BA.2.86 lineage.
According to WHO, existing vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death caused by JN.1 and other prevalent COVID-19 variants. The organization reassured that, based on current evidence, the additional global public health risk associated with JN.1 is deemed low.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the JN.1 subvariant comprises an estimated 15% to 29% of cases as of December 8.
Also Read: Expect a Slight Temperature Rise in Kolkata on December 25
The CDC emphasized that there is no current evidence indicating an elevated risk to public health compared to other circulating variants. Furthermore, the agency suggested that an updated vaccine could provide continued protection against JN.1.
JN.1 was initially identified in the United States in September, according to the CDC. China also reported the detection of seven infections involving the COVID subvariant last week. Despite its classification as a “variant of interest,” the WHO’s evaluation indicates a low level of concern for the global public health impact of JN.1.
