A subvariant of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, BQ.1, is on the rise. The European health service ECDC expects this new subvariant to become dominant in Europe between mid-November and early December.

Currently the omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, BQ.1 and the subvariant BQ.1.1 dominate. are ‘family’ of them. The new sub-variant is already in circulation in the Netherlands: Two weeks ago, according to the so-called germ monitoring of the RIVM, it was present in 6 percent of the samples. The subvariant also appeared in France, Belgium, Ireland and Italy.

BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. appear to be better able to evade the immune system than the now dominant omicron variants, according to the ECDC. This is evident from studies conducted in Asia. You can therefore advance quickly. The dominance of the new sub-variant is likely to lead to an increase in the number of corona infections in the coming weeks and months.

‘Not ill’

The currently available subvariant data do not indicate that BQ.1 is more pathogenic than the currently dominant omicron variants. According to preliminary studies, the current vaccination campaign with boosters specially developed for the omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 is intended to induce an effective immune response.

The vaccinations “will almost certainly provide some cross-protection” since BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. are closely related to the current variants, prominent American immunologist Anthony Fauci said this week. How well the vaccines actually protect against the new subvariants needs to be further investigated.