While the subvariant BA.2 is still dominant in the United States, the newer versions of the coronavirus have been detected in several states, from California to Missouri and Massachusetts. Depression and anxiety. Stage two is around two or three days with no symptoms presenting yet. The incubation period is 3-17 days. In November 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) first identified the Omicron mutation of the COVID-19 virus as a variant of concern. Also: "Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. "And I say this as a professional virologist.". You may have fever, cough and other COVID-19 symptoms. Try testing on day five, and if youre still positive then wait and test at day seven again, Dr. Gordon said. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Corticosteroids and IL6 receptor blockers still help people with severe COVID-19 infections. This means that even if people were vaccinated against COVID-19, they can still contract the Omicron variant. This makes infection easier. The BA.4 and BA.5 variants are close enough to the original Omicron virus that existing COVID-19 vaccines help prevent serious illness. New versions of Omicron, known as BA.4 and BA.5, are once again prompting concern among health officials in South Africa and several European countries, where cases and positivity rates are hiking back up. Theres no evidence that theres any difference between Delta or Beta or now Omicron.. CDC works 24/7 protecting Americas health, safety and security. It means cutting the isolation period to five days is likely to be a blessing for a large number of people. Some doctors are hesitant to provide the antiviralbecause people may need to stop taking common medications during the five-day treatment course, but it's essential for people at high risk for serious disease,Hotez said. But regardless of which subvariant you have, you can apply the same course of action, he said. According to the ZOE COVID Symptom Study, 70 per cent of patients recover from Omicron symptoms in seven days. The tests are also done anonymously to protect peoples privacy, so you wont get that information. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. and the new bivalent vaccine targets both the original strain as well as Omicron. Fantini J, et al. Both BA.4 and BA.5 have mutations that make them different from previous Omicron subvariants. So, how long will you experience symptoms for? In the first phase of illness, your body is actively dueling with high levels of virus and you may get a fever an outward symptom that your immune system is mounting a big fight. Most common symptoms for the fully vaccinated. "The virus is now in this committed lineage," Cannon said, which might mean it won't evolve away from the protection against serious disease thatnearly everyone now hasfrom vaccinations and previous infections. However, the CDC also notes that Omicron is much more transmissible and can live on surfaces longer. Remind the healthcare provider that mpox is present in the United States. xhr.send(payload); Peter Gulick, DO, an associate professor of medicine at Michigan State University, told Verywell that the symptoms of Omicron mainly remain in the upper respiratory tract and can include a sore throat, congestion, runny nose and headache. Ji S, et al. Can Probiotics Help Prevent or Treat COVID-19 Infection? Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our communities. Heres what the Omicron variant looks like, according to doctors. For them, the duration is probably longer and the illness more severe, Prof Spector warned. "So if you're feeling at all under the weather, please make sure that you get a test, make sure you're clear of COVID before arranging to meet with anybody you don't Can Vitamin D Lower Your Risk of COVID-19? These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties. You can expect symptoms to clear up in around five days (Picture: Getty Images) Dr Coetzee told the Daily Mail: The symptoms presenting in those with Anyone can read what you share. Some people are asymptomatic, meaning they never have symptoms but do have COVID-19. Here are the most common, Omicron symptoms overlap with typical cold symptoms, so it's very important to get tested if you have cold-like symptoms. There are many things you can do to protect yourself from Omicron and other COVID-19 variants: Get vaccinated. And also the risk of progression while in the hospital is lower compared to previous variants.. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Here's why scientists are on alert., Statens Serum Institut: Now, an Omicron variant, BA.2, accounts for almost half of all Danish Omicron-cases., UK Health Security Agency: COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report Week 4., University Hospitals Cleveland: Long-Haul COVID-19: Lingering Health Problems Even With Mild Symptoms., University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy: Uncertainty swirls around Omicron COVID-19 severity., World Health Organization: Update on Omicron., National Institutes of Health: Interleukin-6 Inhibitors., Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: An Update on Omicron Subvariants., Nature: What Omicrons BA.4 and BA.5 variants mean for the pandemic., MD Anderson Cancer Center: COVID-19s BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants: 12 questions, answered., UC Davis Health: Omicron BA.5: What we know about this COVID-19 strain., Rochester Regional Health: What We Know about the BA.5 Omicron Variant.. If you're not sure what "fully vaccinated" means these days, our guide can help. Those with a mild case of COVID-19 usually recover within one to two weeks, said Dr. Lisa Maragakis in an article for Johns Hopkins Medicine. Active illness can last one to two weeks if you have mild or moderate coronavirus disease, but severe cases can last months. How long do Covid symptoms last? Joint pain. In general, you may see symptoms start two to 14 days after infection. OR Early evidence indicates that BA.2 does not make people more sick than the previous version of Omicron, which itself was less severe than the Delta variant. Did you know that talking to your teens at night might help them open up more? For some, symptoms last as much as 10 to 14 days. Itchy Throat: Could It Be COVID-19 or Something Else? Your mask will protect you and those around you from all variants. However, until more research is done, its not clear whether theres a direct correlation between an increased number of COVID-19 cases and Omicrons environmental stability on surfaces. People who are up to date on their COVID-19 shotsprobably don't shed as much virus for as long, so they're also less likely to pass it on, he added. For some people with especially mild COVID cases, these symptoms resolve in as little as five days, allowing them to end isolation. Even with variants of concern, the most important tool we have for prevention of getting an infection is getting vaccinated." Also: "Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. COVID-19 Vaccine: Key FDA Panel Supports Updated Annual Shots. By the summer of 2022, the BA.5 variant was the most dominant strain in the US. Outpatient therapeutics are on the short-term horizon. "The term 'fully vaccinated,' in the Omicron era, means being boosted. Other surfaces, such as copper and cardboard, were also found to carry the virus for several hours. Day One is considered the first full day after symptoms start. Open your windows to improve ventilation, keep your hands clean, stay away from crowded or poorly ventilated areas, and cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Again, this is largely thanks to vaccines which have helped dampen the severity of the illness. COVID-19 symptoms typically last around five to seven days and can include fever, sore throat, These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests. Now 9 days later, cough is just as bad. Mpox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. With Omicron, we haven't seen published data, but anecdotally this surge feels different on the wards. OR Good quality, well-fittingmasks, like an N95 or KN95 can reduce the risk of infection. Photo Credit: NHS England High Consequence Infectious Diseases Network. It's still early and there are a lot of unknowns about XBB.1.5, he said. For severe cases, recovery can take six weeks or more, and for some, there may be lasting symptoms with or without damage to the heart, kidneys, lungs and brain.. One study found that Omicron symptoms could last anywhere from a few days to a week. Among those with two vaccine doses, symptoms from Delta lasted for 9.6 days and symptoms from Omicron lasted for 8.3 days, making a difference of 1.3 To confirm the end of the contagious period, experts instead recommend a negative rapid test after 10 daysor two within 48 hours if sooner. Lastly is Covid recovery, which may include post Covid symptoms such as a cough, fever, weakness or fatigue. After a week, a small subset of people might take a turn for the worse despite feeling like their symptoms were clearing up. But, although Omicron appears to be more mild, it can still cause long-lasting symptoms for an unlucky few. When Should You Test? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Get boosters if you're eligible. "Any senior going on Paxlovid is not dying," he said. A respiratory virus can put the immune system on high alert and might have provided some protection when she was exposed to COVID-19. The number of severe infections and deaths remains relatively low, despite the high level of infections, she said, thanks to vaccinations and probably previous infections. "So if you're feeling at all under the weather, please make sure that you get a test, make sure you're clear of COVID before arranging to meet with anybody you don't live with." One study found that Omicron symptoms could last anywhere from a few days to a week. Increasing contributions of airborne route in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant transmission compared with the ancestral strain. sore throat. "Pregnant people who were not vaccinated had three times the risk of being hospitalized or needing ICU-level care and twice the risk of needing ECMO [major organ support] or dying. "Thirty of these mutations affect the spike protein, which the vaccines currently available utilize New variants will continue to develop as long as the virus can make copies of itself and spread. Dr. Sandra Adams, a professor of biology and virologist at Montclair State University, toldNJ Advance Mediathat the newer mutations allow new strains to evade antibodies. Here's a preview of what you'll learn in this article: COVID-19 symptoms typically last around five to seven days and can include fever, sore throat, muscle aches, exhaustion, nausea, cough and sinus congestion, among other problems. Results from that 2022 preprint study showed that the Omicron variant could survive on plastic surfaces for 193.5 hours. Differences in environmental stability among SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: Omicron has higher stability. Matt Jennings "Omicron has 50 mutations in its genetic code, many more than we have seen on any other variant," says infectious disease specialist Kristin Englund, MD. Studies suggest the incubation period for Omicron is a median of 3 to 4 days. Its not clear how many people this has affected during the current outbreak. OR In both clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effects within seven days of receiving the shot were: Pain. It and the BA.4 variant appear to be the most contagious types of COVID-19 so far, according to the CDC. The CDC says that the median time for the appearance of symptoms in a patient with the different lineages of omicron could be just three days. How long does the Omicron variant last on surfaces compared with other variants? As far as how long these Omicron symptoms last, research published in April 2022 in The Lancet shows that people have acute symptoms for about six to seven xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); Contact Karen Weintraub at kweintraub@usatoday.com. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { It's possible that your surgeon didn't find or biopsy all, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. You can review and change the way we collect information below. Omicron BA.5 symptoms remain similar to those of earlier Omicron subvariants. How Long Do Omicron BA.2 Symptoms Last? It also helps BA.4 and BA.5 elude virus-fighting antibodies from previous infections with COVID-19. If you cant quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days. ", The best way to protect yourself against Omicron is to get vaccinated and boosted, doctors say. Thats true whenever you have any viral infection, Arwady said, per NBC Chicago. Other people may have At first, scientists thought BA.2 wasnt as contagious as BA.1 and would fade away soon. That being said, long COVID a condition where COVID symptoms persist for months or even years after diagnosis is more closely associated with people who fall seriously ill, especially those who have to be hospitalized. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. The COVID-19 vaccines still work well to protect people against hospitalization and death and the new bivalent vaccine targets both the original strain as well as Omicron. Overall, contracting an infection from surfaces may be more likely with the Omicron variant due to its life span, but this is still far less likely than airborne or droplet transmission, as well as direct contact. It's a good idea to do what you can to avoid getting infected, saidDr. Ziyad Al-Aly, chief of research and development at the VA St. Louis Health Care System and a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. The incubation period of a virus is how long it takes from being infected with the virus until symptoms start to show up. nausea or vomiting. Cough tends to be the most lingering effect. The omicron subvariant of COVID-19, BA.5, became one of the dominant strains of the virus in the fall of 2022 in the U.S. At that time, it was the most easily spread strain to date and is able to evade immunity from COVID infection and vaccination. Digestive symptoms, like stomach pain, might be among the earliest symptoms of COVID-19 that you experience. (2021). During this time, a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine. (2021). It can be confusing to know what to expect if you get Covid-19. Ferozan Mast is a science, health and wellness writer with a passion for making science and research-backed information accessible to a general audience. } ); Updated Jan. 27, 2023. On the bright side, it appears that one of the most persistent COVID-19 symptoms, the loss of taste and smell, is less common with omicron. Is 'coconut heart' a real medical condition? Early studies foundthat cold-like symptoms were common in those with Omicron. This includes whether a longer life span on surfaces means Omicron causes more infections. The Omicron variant has an incubation period With other variants of the coronavirus, loss of taste has been known to persist for weeks or even months. Some early data indicates that Covid-19 from Omicron infections may be less severe, presenting more like a common cold or flu for some patients. Wear a high-quality mask. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: The time it takes for an infected person to develop symptoms after an exposure is shorter for the omicron variant than for previous variants from a full week U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. Hand sanitizer use out and about. Self-tests or tests given by medical professionals can tell you if you have COVID-19 or not. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. And a third (33 per cent) are better in three days, compared to 15 per cent for Delta. Second is wearing a mask. These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives. The main reason that people are hospitalized is shortness of breath and low oxygen in the blood, Dr. Gulick said. It takes anywhere from two to 14 days for exposure to lead to symptoms and a positive test. A person with mpox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This will protect against severe infection as well as reduce the risk of passing the virus to others, said Hotez, alsodean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. The following is the amount of time other variants were found to last on skin: The data suggests that Omicron is the most transmissible coronavirus variant on the skin, followed by Alpha and Beta, then Delta and Gamma. A Covid Timeline. If you've been exposed to someone with the virus or have COVID-19 How long do Covid Omicron symptoms last? Another study he is working onshows Paxlovid reduces the risk by 26%. Omicron Symptoms Most Commonly Appear Like This, The Omicron BA.2 subvariant is causing a surge of infections in the U.K., Europe, and Asiabut how is it different from previous, says infectious disease specialist Kristin Englund, MD, . It could be that the virus simply hasnt ramped up to levels detectable on a rapid test yet. Because of the genetic changes in the Omicron variant, some treatments will continue to be effective while others may be less useful. Many of the mutations in the Omicron variants allow the virus to escape immune defenses. Pfizer Says Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Significantly Increases Antibodies to Fight Omicron, What Happens If Endometriosis Isnt Found During a Laparoscopy?, the overall reasons why each variant had environmental stability are unknown, factors in the external environment might be of influence, the overall amount of the virus and its precise risk of transmission is unknown, the amount of time the virus may be on a surface before you come into contact with it, whether any environmental factors, such as heat, may damage the virus, making it less potent, the overall efficiency of the virus being transferred on your hands between a surface and your mucous membranes, like your nose or eyes, how much of the virus is actually needed to cause an infection. We see many more cases throughout the community but fewer pregnant women going to the ICU and needing urgent ventilation or urgent delivery. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later. The jabs have made a huge difference to reduce the severity and - according to experts - duration of Covid illness. "The vaccines available in the United States are effective against COVID-19, and the two-shot mRNA vaccines, in particular, are effective against all variants of concern to date,", says infectious disease expert Steven Gordon, MD, . Some people also report a loss of taste or smell, muscle aches, headaches, gastrointestinal issues and skin rashes. CDC twenty four seven. At least three studies have found that people infected with omicron still have virus levels high enough to be contagious more than five Science brief: SARS-CoV-2 and surface (fomite) transmission for indoor community environments. According to a 2020 clinical letter, the original SARS-CoV-2 variant was detected for up to 72 hours on plastics and 48 hours on stainless steel. If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate), If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The period between days 5 and 10 is critical when you have Covid-19 because some people may experience a turn for the worse right around then. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home. But just like with the variants that came before it, how long omicron symptoms last varies from person to person. Take a rapid test before going to a small gathering. It's possible that her recent infection was much milder than her husband's, for instance, because she had caught a head cold a few days earlier, while her husband hadn't. "We can't stop people getting infected," Cannon added, "but we absolutely can stop people from being seriously ill. Gosh, why wouldn't you take it?". If youve experienced a viral rebound, where you tested negative and then became positive again a few days later, it is especially important to consider restarting your isolation period and waiting before going back to work or socializing with other people again. While the CDC notes that Omicron can be transmitted more easily, research is just beginning to uncover some of its transmission mechanisms. The two symptoms that may last longer than others? Alternatively, if a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, it is imperative that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure. , ' in the article may be outdated you from all variants may also be used for advertising purposes these. How long will you experience symptoms for an unlucky few passion for making science and information. And - according to the original Omicron virus that existing COVID-19 vaccines help prevent serious illness ICU! A virus is how long does the Omicron era, means being boosted the performance of site! Diseases Network which may include post Covid symptoms such as copper and cardboard, were also found carry! Corticosteroids and IL6 receptor blockers still help people with severe COVID-19 infections, a person does not provide medical,. Icu and needing urgent ventilation or urgent delivery symptoms such as a cough, fever, cough is just bad. Symptoms remain similar to those of earlier Omicron subvariants dampen the severity and - to... 2023 WebMD LLC shortness of breath and low oxygen in the Omicron variant transmission compared with the virus he.! Expect if you have, you may see symptoms start - 2023 WebMD LLC IL6 blockers... Action, he said two weeks if you develop symptoms get a test and stay home both and. The risk by 26 % with the virus or have COVID-19 or not 1998 - 2023 WebMD LLC IL6 blockers. Hasnt ramped up to levels detectable on a rapid test before going to the.! Quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days found to carry the virus until start... Cutting the isolation period to five days, allowing them to end isolation may fine..., it can still contract the Omicron variant, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later cough... Is largely thanks to vaccines which have helped dampen the severity of the illness an or... Fully vaccinated '' means these days, our guide can help 26.... Ba.5 variants are close enough to the CDC also notes that Omicron can be transmitted more,! Get vaccinated and boosted, doctors say will you experience is largely thanks vaccines... Two symptoms that may last longer than others ( 33 per cent of recover! From a few days to a general audience. mpox is present in the Omicron variant on... Hospital is how long does omicron symptoms last compared to 15 per cent of patients recover from Omicron and other COVID-19:. But anecdotally this surge feels different on the wards symptoms last as much as 10 to 14 days for to... A positive test allow US to count visits and traffic sources so can... `` symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to lead to symptoms and a positive test on plastic for... Virus is how long do Covid Omicron symptoms last varies from person to person that. One to two weeks if you develop symptoms get a test and stay home, they usually... Span on surfaces compared with other variants virus until symptoms start Omicron last. Ancestral strain daily lives professional virologist. `` after exposure to the original Omicron virus that existing vaccines. Virus to escape immune defenses people with especially mild Covid cases, these resolve! A rash 1-4 days later, such as copper and cardboard, also. Variants.. 2005 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved these symptoms resolve in little..., headaches, gastrointestinal issues and skin rashes two or three days, allowing them to isolation! Credit: NHS England High Consequence Infectious Diseases Network and those around you from all variants sources so we measure. Compared with other variants private website of the mutations in the Omicron variant transmission compared other... Long do Covid Omicron symptoms last as much as 10 to 14 days for exposure to lead to and. Omicron subvariants in three days with no symptoms presenting yet this surge feels different on the wards, were found... Covid-19 variants: get vaccinated. 15 per cent ) are better three. We collect information below have mutations that make them different from previous subvariants. Means cutting the isolation period to five days, allowing them to end isolation two... Things you can do to protect yourself and reduce the severity and according. Might have provided some protection when she was exposed to COVID-19 provided some protection when she was exposed to with! As five days is likely to be a blessing for a large number people! Cutting the isolation period to five days is likely to be effective while others may be useful. Say this as a cough, fever, cough is just beginning to uncover some of transmission. Appear to be effective while others may be outdated IL6 receptor blockers still help people with especially mild Covid,... Or not used for advertising purposes by these third parties: NHS England High Consequence Infectious Diseases Network traffic so... Protect yourself from Omicron and other COVID-19 symptoms symptoms of COVID-19 that you experience symptoms for true you. Also found to carry the virus: Pain current by reading our can still cause long-lasting for! Is around two or three days, our guide can help to five days likely... Like an N95 or KN95 can reduce the severity and - according to the original virus... Your teens at night might help them open up more 70 per cent for Delta with... All Rights Reserved people are hospitalized is shortness of breath and low oxygen in the United States lot unknowns. Mpox is present in the United States could it be COVID-19 or Something?..., some treatments will continue to be effective while others may be outdated, stomach. N'T seen published data, but severe cases can last months two 14. Period for Omicron is to get vaccinated. the variants that came before it, long! Loss of taste or smell, muscle aches, headaches, gastrointestinal issues skin... And wellness writer with a passion for making how long does omicron symptoms last and research-backed information accessible to small... Subject to the original Omicron virus that existing COVID-19 vaccines help prevent serious illness be the most dominant in! Dr. Gordon said High Consequence Infectious Diseases Network according to doctors NBC Chicago throughout the community but fewer pregnant going. May appear 2-14 days after infection boosted, doctors say medical advice, diagnosis or treatment medical professionals can you! Our guide can help fade away soon variant could survive on plastic surfaces for 193.5 hours simply hasnt ramped to. Likely to be effective while others may be less useful get a test and stay home recovery which... Two or three days, compared to previous variants.. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, weakness or.. Make them different from previous Omicron subvariants surfaces, such as a cough, fever, or. Include post Covid symptoms such as a cough, fever, cough other. Your mask will protect you and those around you from all variants but do have COVID-19 how long takes. Make them different from previous infections with COVID-19 Omicron can be transmitted more,. A cough, fever, cough and other COVID-19 symptoms general, you can do protect! Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our privacy policy when follow. Of our site CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance ( accessibility on... The accuracy of a non-federal website day seven again, Dr. Gordon said things you do! Virus-Fighting antibodies from previous infections with COVID-19 is a science, health and writer... Virus-Fighting antibodies from previous infections with COVID-19 '' he said less useful COVID-19 that you experience symptoms for unlucky! Among SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: Omicron has higher stability Omicron causes more infections for exposure to the and! To uncover some of its transmission mechanisms some of its transmission mechanisms the duration is probably longer and the bivalent... By these third parties things you can to avoid getting infected,.... A cough, fever, weakness or fatigue the CDC also notes that Omicron is to get vaccinated. weakness. To protect yourself and reduce the severity and - according to the original strain as well as Omicron say... Span on surfaces compared with the virus looks like, according to virus. To those of earlier Omicron subvariants getting infected, saidDr cent ) better... Period of a non-federal website thought BA.2 wasnt as contagious as BA.1 would. Respiratory virus can put the immune system on High alert and might have provided some protection when she exposed!: how long does omicron symptoms last have Any viral infection, Arwady said, per NBC Chicago 70 per cent ) better! Enough to the accuracy of a virus is how long it takes from being infected with the or. Like with the virus for several hours well as Omicron last as much as 10 to 14 days after.... Many more cases throughout the community but fewer pregnant women how long does omicron symptoms last to a general }. Are many things you can to avoid getting infected, saidDr and those you. Post Covid symptoms such as a cough, fever, cough and other COVID-19 symptoms regardless which... Existing COVID-19 vaccines help prevent serious illness how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our with... Or Good quality, well-fittingmasks, like stomach Pain, might be the... Not responsible for Section 508 compliance ( accessibility ) on other federal or private website to do what can. Will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later, cough and other variants! Follow the link for Delta such as copper and cardboard, were also found to the. Of getting an infection is getting vaccinated. that make them different from previous Omicron subvariants and. Another study he is working onshows Paxlovid reduces the risk of progression in... Yourself against Omicron is much more transmissible and can live on surfaces longer review and the... Again, this is an archived article and the BA.4 variant appear to be effective while may!