NPR: variant https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=950144853 variant en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Wed, 07 May 2025 00:17:01 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR: variant https://www.npr.org/tags/950144853/variant Coronavirus FAQs: How worrisome is the new variant? How long do boosters last? Readers are curious about the new variant, currently known a BA.2.86. Also: Lots of questions about boosters. Can you get it at the same time as a flu shot? And how long does protection last? Fri, 25 Aug 2023 17:17:05 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/08/25/1195592942/coronavirus-faqs-how-worrisome-is-the-new-variant-how-long-do-boosters-last https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/08/25/1195592942/coronavirus-faqs-how-worrisome-is-the-new-variant-how-long-do-boosters-last

Readers are curious about the new variant, currently known a BA.2.86. Also: Lots of questions about boosters. Can you get it at the same time as a flu shot? And how long does protection last?

(Image credit: Sonny Tumbelaka)

]]> Fran Kritz Omicron keeps finding new evolutionary tricks to outsmart our immunity SARS-CoV-2 is evolving "rapidly," spawning one new variant after another. But omicron continues to dominate, raising new questions about how evolution of the virus is headed. Tue, 25 Oct 2022 05:00:42 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/10/25/1129196088/covid-new-omicron-variants-immunity https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/10/25/1129196088/covid-new-omicron-variants-immunity SARS-CoV-2 is evolving "rapidly," spawning one new variant after another. But omicron continues to dominate, raising new questions about how evolution of the virus is headed.

]]> Rob Stein Omicron may be less severe in South Africa. That may not be the case for the U.S. Researchers in South Africa have found that people infected with omicron, on average, are less likely to end up in the hospital. But the variant may act differently here in the U.S. Fri, 17 Dec 2021 19:41:41 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/17/1065315661/omicron-may-be-less-severe-in-south-africa-that-may-not-be-the-case-for-the-u-s https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/17/1065315661/omicron-may-be-less-severe-in-south-africa-that-may-not-be-the-case-for-the-u-s

Researchers in South Africa have found that people infected with omicron, on average, are less likely to end up in the hospital. But the variant may act differently here in the U.S.

]]> Michaeleen Doucleff Studies suggest sharp drop in vaccine protection vs. omicron — yet cause for optimism In small studies in South Africa and in Germany, the results indicate a marked decrease in the ability of vaccines to neutralize this variant. But there are other findings that are encouraging. Wed, 08 Dec 2021 11:16:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/08/1062352212/studies-suggest-sharp-drop-in-vaccine-protection-v-omicron-yet-cause-for-optimis https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/08/1062352212/studies-suggest-sharp-drop-in-vaccine-protection-v-omicron-yet-cause-for-optimis In small studies in South Africa and in Germany, the results indicate a marked decrease in the ability of vaccines to neutralize this variant. But there are other findings that are encouraging.

]]> Michaeleen Doucleff Scientists race to answer the question: Will vaccines protect us against omicron? There's serious concern about the effectiveness of vaccines against the omicron strain. But there's also reason to be hopeful — especially for those who've had a booster. Thu, 02 Dec 2021 17:35:45 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/02/1060624669/scientists-race-to-answer-the-question-will-vaccines-protect-us-against-omicron https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/02/1060624669/scientists-race-to-answer-the-question-will-vaccines-protect-us-against-omicron

There's serious concern about the effectiveness of vaccines against the omicron strain. But there's also reason to be hopeful — especially for those who've had a booster.

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]]> Michaeleen Doucleff The mystery of where omicron came from — and why it matters How did this new strain of the coronavirus evolve? Researchers are investigating various possibilities. One leading theory involves ... just one person. Wed, 01 Dec 2021 14:48:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/01/1055803031/the-mystery-of-where-omicron-came-from-and-why-it-matters https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/01/1055803031/the-mystery-of-where-omicron-came-from-and-why-it-matters

How did this new strain of the coronavirus evolve? Researchers are investigating various possibilities. One leading theory involves ... just one person.

(Image credit: Uma Shankar Sharma)

]]> Nurith Aizenman The Highly Contagious Delta Variant Is On The Rise In The U.S. The variant accounts for more than 6% of all infections in the U.S. and in some Western states is responsible for more than 18% of cases. Tue, 08 Jun 2021 21:07:24 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/06/08/1004597294/the-highly-contagious-delta-variant-of-covid-is-on-the-rise-in-the-u-s https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/06/08/1004597294/the-highly-contagious-delta-variant-of-covid-is-on-the-rise-in-the-u-s

The variant accounts for more than 6% of all infections in the U.S. and in some Western states is responsible for more than 18% of cases.

(Image credit: Mark Kerrison)

]]> Jane Greenhalgh Trapped By India Travel Bans: Workers, Expats, Families ... Aussie Cricket Players Mounting COVID-19 travel restrictions are meant to contain the Indian variant. But citizens and visitors alike are feeling frustrated. Tue, 04 May 2021 14:54:24 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/05/04/992357751/trapped-by-india-travel-bans-workers-expats-families-an-aussie-cricket-team https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/05/04/992357751/trapped-by-india-travel-bans-workers-expats-families-an-aussie-cricket-team

Mounting COVID-19 travel restrictions are meant to contain the Indian variant. But citizens and visitors alike are feeling frustrated.

(Image credit: Avishek Das/SOPA Images)

]]> Kamala Thiagarajan People Are Talking About A 'Double Mutant' Variant In India. What Does That Mean? The term is a reference to two particular mutations in SARS-CoV-2. But the variant in India could carry additional mutations. Sat, 24 Apr 2021 07:25:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/04/24/988744811/people-are-talking-about-a-double-mutant-variant-in-india-what-does-that-mean https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/04/24/988744811/people-are-talking-about-a-double-mutant-variant-in-india-what-does-that-mean

The term is a reference to two particular mutations in SARS-CoV-2. But the variant in India could carry additional mutations.

]]> Michaeleen Doucleff Reinfections More Likely With New Coronavirus Variants, Evidence Suggests The variant in Brazil is causing a surge in Manaus, a city where the virus previously infected huge numbers in the spring of 2020. Researchers are trying to determine why. Thu, 21 Jan 2021 07:44:20 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/01/21/958953434/reinfections-more-likely-with-new-coronavirus-variants-evidence-suggests https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/01/21/958953434/reinfections-more-likely-with-new-coronavirus-variants-evidence-suggests

The variant in Brazil is causing a surge in Manaus, a city where the virus previously infected huge numbers in the spring of 2020. Researchers are trying to determine why.

(Image credit: Jonne Roriz)

]]> Michaeleen Doucleff