COVID-19: A Year in Review

2023 witnessed several changes in COVID-19 variants, health policies, and vaccines. As year three of the world affected by COVID-19 ends, we reflect on the advances, changes, and lessons learned.

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COVID-19 Variants and Subvariants

Over the past three years, COVID-19 has changed, creating variants. Variants occur when viruses infect cells and reproduce. Sometimes, these duplicates contain errors that make changes in the virus’s DNA. The errors can be more effective at spreading or evading current vaccines.

Omicron

Omicron, a variant of COVID-19, continues to produce sub-variants. Earlier this year, public and other health professionals closely watched variants, including BA.2.86. Late summer/early fall saw the emergence of another variant named JN.1. At first, JN.1 compromised a small portion (0.01%) of new cases being reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in December that JN.1 is estimated to comprise 15-29% of reported COVID-19 cases. Furthermore, the CDC predicts JN.1 cases will continue to rise as the holiday season and winter continues.

CDC officials believe the growth of JN.1 hints that the variant is either better at evading the immune system or is highly transmissible. However, CDC professionals do not see evidence that JN.1 increases the risk to public health. Or that updated COVID-19 vaccines are less effective against JN.1.

Potential Subvariants

Immunocompromised people are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. However, they are also at a higher risk of creating new variants of COVID-19. A study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases reported immunocompromised people with prolonged infection of COVID-19 have SARS-CoV-2 organisms with “higher genetic diversity.” The increased diversity may cause the development of new variants.

Vaccines and Boosters

Updated COVID-19 vaccines were introduced in the fall. The CDC recommends the latest (2023-2024) COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax. The updated vaccines address the latest variants of COVID-19, including BA.2.86 and its closely related variant JN.1. The CDC recommends:

Those five years and older should receive one dose of an updated vaccine.
Children six months to four years require multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including at least one dose of the updated vaccine.
Immunocompromised people are encouraged to receive updated COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Research Findings

Researchers studying the effects of mRNA-1273 on COVID-19 published their findings in Open Forum Infectious Diseases. The researchers compared the effects of COVID-19 vaccines on a control group and a group given the mRNA-1273 vaccine. The results found the incidence rate of COVID-19 was higher among the control group.

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Long COVID Effects

Long COVID can affect the well-being of those who were infected with COVID-19. As researchers study the symptoms and effects, they learn more about Long COVID and its widespread impact on people.

Researchers have connected the long-term COVID-19 on mental, physical, and overall well-being. But they are still learning how to diagnose and treat Long COVID.

Long COVID and the Common Cold

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research on how the common cold can increase the risk for Long COVID. The study discovered that previous infection of OC43, a coronavirus that causes the common cold, may increase the chance of people having Long COVID.

Public Health Emergency Ends

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) discontinued the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 in May. The professionals at HHS worked with governors, tribal territories, advocates, and industry leaders to ensure a smooth transition from the PHE.

Initially, the end of the PHE also included the end of free COVID-19 test kits. However, as COVID-19 cases rose, the availability of free test kits returned.

Conclusion

Over the past year, several changes and advances have been made concerning COVID-19. Researchers, public health officials, and governmental agencies continue to address the needs surrounding prevention and access to care.

To learn more about the latest COVID-19 findings, visit the CDC’s COVID-19 information page.

To find out how you can order a free COVID-19 test kit, click here.

Christina Sisti, DPS, MPH, MS, is a bioethicist and health care policy advocate. She works to create awareness and improve healthcare policy for those with long-term health issues.