JN.1 Is Now a COVID 'Variant of Interest'

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer

Key Takeaways

• JN.1 is now a COVID variant of interest (VOI), according to the World Health Organization.

• While JN.1 does not appear to pose a greater threat to public health than other variants, cases are ticking up fast.

• Vaccines and masking are still the go-to ways to protect yourself and others against COVID as well as other respiratory viruses going around this winter.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is now tracking JN.1 as a variant of interest (VOI), separate from the rest of the Omicron BA.2.86 group. The COVID-19 variant was first detected in the United States back in September and is now the fastest-spreading variant.

The WHO’s decision comes as travel picks up ahead of the holidays, coinciding with an uptick in cases of respiratory illnesses.

Here’s what experts say you should know about JN.1, including whether current vaccines can tackle it.

How Serious is a Variant of Interest?

A variant of interest (VOI) is not the most worrisome level—it’s just something public health experts want to keep an eye on. It falls third on the list of variant classifications:

• Variant of high consequence (VOHC)

• Variant of concern (VOC)

• Variant of interest (VOI)

• Variants being monitored (VBM)

Is JN.1 Worse Than Other Variants?

Right now, the WHO does not think that JN.1 poses a more serious public health risk than other variants—it does not appear to be making people sicker or sending them to the hospital more frequently. It does, however, seem to be spreading and evading immunity more easily than other variants going around.

“We have seen only a minimal uptick in serious cases,” Dean Winslow, MD, professor of medicine and senior fellow at Stanford Health Care, told Verywell. “However, wastewater surveillance at Stanford, Santa Clara County, and other counties in the San Francisco Bay Area have shown a significant increase in COVID-19 detected in wastewater, suggesting that cases are increasing, but many are likely either mild or subclinical.”

Takeaway

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, JN.1 is emerging as the dominant strain in the U.S. While the current risk assessment by the WHO is low, monitoring it will help researchers get a better idea of whether it has the potential to be more of a public health risk.

The American Medical Association (AMA) said that while JN.1 seems to be more transmissible, experts don’t think it will cause a spike in serious illness or hospitalizations compared to earlier variants like Delta and the SARS-CoV-2 original strain from early 2020.

Tara Vijayan, MD, a clinician with the Division of Infectious Diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, told Verywell that COVID is here to stay, and variants are going to keep popping up.

“I suspect people are getting variant fatigue. SARS-CoV2 is still here and it is not going anywhere. It remains contagious,” she said. “Vulnerable people (immunocompromised, older adults) remain at the highest risk. These truths have been consistent throughout the pandemic, even with newer variants.”

So far, JN.1 seems to be causing the same symptoms as other COVID variants, including:

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Sore throat

• Sneezing

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Muscle aches

• Change in sense of smell or taste

But remember—the flu and RSV are also going around and cause similar symptoms. You won’t know for sure you’ve caught COVID unless you get a positive test.

Related: 6 Safety Tips for a Healthy and Happy Holiday

Will Current Vaccines Protect Against JN.1?

The updated COVID vaccines will protect against the JN.1 variant. According to the CDC, 99% of variants come from Omicron, so that’s what the current booster shots are based on. Making sure you’re up to date on your booster doses can help prevent severe illness if you do get sick, reduce the risk of reinfection, and may reduce your chances of developing long COVID.

If you’re getting a COVID vaccine, know that you can get a flu shot at the same time. If you’re eligible, you may be able to get the RSV vaccine as well.

Related: Yes, You Need Both the Flu and COVID-19 Shots

How to Avoid Getting Sick

COVID, flu, and RSV are all picking up speed just as people are preparing for the holidays.

“We have seen all three viruses in high numbers,” Vijayan said. “RSV seems to have peaked in late November, but we must be vigilant throughout. Flu and Covid are both on the upswing. There are many other viruses out there as well, all of which can be severe among patients with lowered immune systems (i.e. those on specific medications to lower the immune system), those with underlying lung disease and those at the extremes of age (newborns, older adults).”

Practicing proper hand hygiene and staying clear of anyone who is sick are still the most basic, tried-and-true ways to avoid getting sick. Other steps that experts recommend include:

• Getting vaccinated with a COVID booster, flu shot, and RSV vaccine (if you are eligible)

• Staying home if you are sick

• Wearing a medical-grade face mask or respirator (N95 or KN95) in crowded places

• Washing your hands correctly and often

• Taking a COVID test if you have symptoms

• Asking your provider about Paxlovid if you test positive for COVID

• Staying hydrated, nourished, and well-rested

“Anecdotally, I turned 70 earlier this year and got all three of these vaccines this fall at the VA (where I receive my own care) and had minimal side effects,” Winslow said. “I recommend wearing a mask at indoor public events and am still staying away from crowded indoor bars and restaurants, but we are in much better shape than we were two years ago. I wish the Verywell readers a merry Christmas and joyous holiday season!”

What This Means For You

JN.1 is quickly becoming the dominant COVID variant in the U.S., but it’s not the only respiratory virus going around during the holidays. Getting vaccinated and taking precautions like wearing a mask and washing your hands often are still the best ways to avoid getting sick.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.