PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon health officials are monitoring the impact of a new COVID-19 variant they believe to be less responsive to the current COVID vaccine.
The new variant, FLiRT is named after the mutations of the KP.2 strain. Doctors say it's now responsible for about 28% of COVID cases in the United States.
In late April, Oregon health officials recorded 79 COVID hospitalizations — a new low. But by May 7, that number was back up to 106 hospitalizations, as the FLiRT variant became more prevalent.
"It remains to be seen whether we'll be seeing more disease from this KP.2 variant," said Dr. Paul Cieslak, the medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the Oregon Health Authority. "We'll just have to watch the data and see."
Cieslak said in Oregon, the state's COVID test positivity rates remain relatively low at 3.5%. That's compared to 11.7% in January and 15% in September.
He noted that the current vaccine seems to be slightly less effective against the FLiRT variant — compared to the previous strain. Even so, he said getting vaccinated is critical and that it's not too late in the season to get it.
"Remember that these strains are all Omicron strains, they're all reasonably closely related," said Cieslak. "This one does seem a little bit different, can evade a little bit better — but nevertheless the immunity against severe disease seems to have held pretty well. And certainly, if you've been vaccinated recently."
Cieslak also recommends getting the new COVID vaccine when it's available this fall. Similar to getting an annual flu shot, he said it's now just another part of maintaining personal health, especially if you're immunocompromised.
"COVID is down," said Cieslak. "We're happy to see that — but it's not out. It's still circulating."