This is FALSE. A social media post incorrectly interpreted a CDC article about how the new COVID variant BA.2.86 (or Pirola) is predicted to spread in the population. The CDC article DID NOT claim that vaccinated people are more at risk for the new variant than unvaccinated people. It stated that the virus is mutating and even people who are already vaccinated can get sick with the new variant.  The COVID vaccines continue to protect from severe sickness, hospitalization, and death.

There is no scientific research suggesting that vaccinated people are more at risk than unvaccinated for contracting the new variant of COVID-19.

The CDC explained that as the virus changes, the newer variants can change the risk of transmission, treatment and disease severity.

Getting vaccinated is still the best way to reduce the likelihood of hospitalization, long term sickness, and death.

This variant is still new, and the CDC is gathering information to understand how it is different from other strains of the virus.