The current COVID-19 vaccines may not stop a person from getting infected with new variants. But, for the most recent variant- Omicron, and the subvariant BA.2, we know that vaccines still protect against severe illnesses, hospitalization, and death. This vaccine protection is more robust with booster doses.

Since the first COVID-19 case was recorded in 2019, the virus has mutated (i.e., changed its structure to form different versions) to create at least 23 variants. Currently, Omicron and its sub-variants account for more than 98% of the variants in circulation. They are known as variants of concerns (VOCs) because they spread faster and cause severe diseases leading to hospitalization and death.

With the rising number of variants, many of us are asking if the current COVID-19 vaccines can still protect against the new variants, especially the VOCs. This question is essential because the current vaccines were developed before the newest variants in the pandemic.

While so much research is actively ongoing to test the effectiveness of vaccines on new variants, recent data suggests that the current COVID-19 vaccines may not stop a vaccinated person from getting infected with the newest variants. But it can protect them from severe sickness, hospitalization, and death when infected with the circulating variants, including the Omicron variant and its sub-variants (BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.1.1 and BA.2.12.1.).

There is also strong evidence that COVID-19 vaccines work best when a person completes their primary vaccination series and booster shots. COVID-19 booster shots are strongly recommended for everyone eligible, particularly those with weakened immunity and the elderly.

It is unclear how many booster shots would be needed to protect against rising variants. Vaccination guidelines will be updated as more evidence arise.

Although scientific evidence shows that the current vaccines protect against the newest variants, we do not know if they will protect against newer variants that may develop in the future.