WHO Tracks VOI XBB.1.5 COVID-19 Variant
The World Health Organization is tracking XBB.1.5, the variant of interest (VOI), and six other variants BQ.1, BA.2.75, CH.1.1, XBB, XBF and XBB.1.16 respectively.
During a review meeting on the COVID-19 situation, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya virtually interacted with the health ministers of the states and union territories and advised them to ramp up vaccination of all eligible population, especially of the elderly and vulnerable population group.
Why Is VOI XBB.1.5 COVID-19 Important?
It was highlighted that while Omicron and its sub-lineages continue to be the predominant variant, most of the assigned variants have little or no significant transmissibility, disease severity or immune escape.‘XBB.1.16 prevalence increased from 21.6% in February to 35.8% in March, 2023.’
It was also informed that while India has achieved over 90 percent coverage of primary vaccination, the coverage of precaution dose is very low.
Source: IANS