New Omicron Subvariant Spreading
The most recent Omicron sublineage, XBB.1.5, is on the rise across the United States. Projections can be uncertain when a variant is just beginning to spread, and CDC is continuing to investigate the ways in which XBB.1.5 may be different from other Omicron lineages.
Some world health leaders consider it the most transmissible version of the virus yet. In just one month, from the last week of November to the last week of December, XBB.1.5 rose from less than 1% of total estimated COVID-19 infections nationwide to 40%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
State and local public health officials continue to urge Iowans to be up-to-date on their coronavirus vaccinations and this new variant has renewed their emphasis on the newest bivalent booster dose. Currently, only 20% of Dubuque County residents age 5 and older have received an updated (bivalent) booster dose.
Getting vaccinated and staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines remains the best form of protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death
Two Years of COVID-19 Vaccinations
December 2022 marked two years since the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in the U.S. Although too many lives have been lost to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, vaccination has helped prevent millions of hospitalizations and saved millions of lives.
Stay up to date on your vaccines to protect yourselves, your loved ones, and your community against COVID-19. As with other vaccine-preventable diseases, you are protected best from COVID-19 when you stay up to date with the recommended vaccinations, including recommended boosters.
Get an updated bivalent booster at least 2 months after completing your primary series or last booster. If you’ve had COVID-19, you may delay getting your booster by 3 months since your symptoms ended.
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