With wave of infections looming, is it time for another round of Covid-19 booster shots?

KUALA LUMPUR: Two new subvariants of COVID-19, known as Eris and Fornax, have begun to circulate the U.S. in recent weeks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported an increase in infections and hospitalisation from the virus, although levels remain low compared to previous waves.

Sunway University President and Immunologist Professor Sibrandes Poppema said the two subvariants were descendants of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, which emerged in November 2021.

While they are slightly more infectious than their predecessor Arcturus, Poppema noted that no new symptoms had emerged from these subvariants.

“It is more like a cold or flu than before. The reason is it’s infecting the higher respiratory tract rather than going deeper into the lungs,” he told Astro AWANI.

President Joe Biden’s administration announced plans to urge all Americans to receive a booster shot against the virus this autumn to counter a new wave of cases.

Poppema said it was wise for Malaysia to follow suit as the current vaccines would still work against Eris and Fornax.

He explained that the U.S., U.K., and some European countries were experiencing a rise of infections as a result of the summer holidays.

“But what they’re really worried about is what’s going to happen in the winter, because usually all types of colds will increase and the same is true for COVID.”

Following this, he said Asian countries including Malaysia would likely experience similar situations.

Hence, the government should begin efforts to acquire a new supply of booster doses for another roll out.

“(The vaccines) will be available in the next months and I’m pretty sure it will not be so easy to lay our hands on sufficient doses, so this is something that needs to be done now,” said Poppema.

He added that among those who should receive their jab are high-risk individuals such as the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions including obesity and hypertension.

Pfizer and German partner BioNTech SE previously created updated COVID-19 vaccines to target the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant.

Last week, Moderna revealed that preliminary trial data showed its latest version of the vaccine was effective against both Eris and Fornax.