Quarterly Scientific Recap on COVID-19 February 2023

Three years ago, the world shut down because of a novel virus: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Social isolation regulations were implemented while the scientific community raced to learn about the pandemic-causing virus. Now, three years later, scientists and medical and public health experts know more than they did. Because of their dedication to learning about the virus, its variants, and vaccines, we have effective ways to prevent or protect us from the virus and its symptoms.

Yet, despite the advancements in learning about COVID-19, the virus continues to form subvariants. However, the good news is that as COVID-19 evolves, so does the research and knowledge of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Vaccines

The push to find an effective vaccine to prevent or protect against severe symptoms of COVID-19 began in early 2020. Since then, four vaccines have been approved or given emergency use authorization. The vaccines are:

Types of Vaccines

• Moderna (mRNA)
• Pfizer-BioNTech (mRNA)
• [1] Johnson & Johnson (viral vector)
• [2] Novavax (protein subunit)
  
  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released vaccine recommendations and guidelines once the first vaccines were given emergency use authorization. As the pandemic continued and more was known about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, the CDC and FDA adjusted their age recommendations for those under 18. Visit the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccines webpage to learn more about their recommendations.

The evolution of COVID-19 variants and subvariants made booster shots necessary to continue vaccine protection. In the Fall of 2022, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna introduced their bivalent vaccines. Initially, the recommendation for booster shots was to receive the same booster as the first two vaccine shots. Since the original recommendation, the recommendations have changed and allowed people to receive a different booster than their primary vaccine series.

As COVID-19 continues to form variants and subvariants, the effectiveness or timing of vaccines and booster shots may rapidly change. To help keep the public health, medical, and general population up to date with the latest recommendations and guidelines, the CDC maintains a comprehensive webpage.

A publication in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences looked at the achievements and deficiencies in COVID-19 vaccines. The scientists considered the characteristics of immune responses to multiple COVID-19 vaccines, which they produced from diverse platforms and formulations. The researchers also took into consideration future-generation vaccines. From this data, they were able to identify potential vaccine delivery system immune responses, immunological memory, and ideas for safe vaccinations. Researchers also concluded that despite several vaccines being approved in different countries, approximately half of the global population lacks access. The lack of access may be what is causing novel variants and infection outbreaks.

To address this issue, scientists have suggested that vaccines be:

• Stable at room temperature for extended periods
• Suited for these populations:
  • Elderly
  • Newborns
  • Immunocompromised
  • People with pre-existing health conditions
  • People with ongoing disorders
• Able to protect against several strains of COVID-19
  
  

COVID-19’s Variants and Subvariants

Viruses change or mutate as they circulate. Often, these changes result in a variant of the original virus. The variant has adapted to the environment. Most changes have little to no impact on the virus’s genetic material. However, where those changes occur can affect the virus’s transmission, severity, or ability to evade vaccines. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) partnered with a global network of scientific laboratories. The collaboration aims to increase the understanding and testing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Researchers share their findings on a public database that includes GISAID. This database publishes the latest findings and tracks submissions, phylodynamics, and other vital information.

The first variant, “Alpha,” was detected in several countries in early 2021. A few days later, the “Beta” variant was identified. Later that year, the “Delta” variant became the dominant variant in the United States. In November, the newest variant, “Omicron,” was identified and labeled as a “variant of concern.”[3]

COVID-19’s Delta and Omicron spread, and more cases were reported at the beginning of January 2022. By late January, Omicron became the predominant variant accounting for approximately 99% of reported instances of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States.

Omicron

Omicron is a challenging variant of COVID-19.As it has evolved, several subvariants have formed. During the winter and spring of 2022, one of its subvariants, BA.2, became widespread. Soon, two other variants began to spread quickly (BA.4 and BA.5). However, they were eclipsed by the BQ subvariants’ spread. Then came the XBB and XBB.1.5 subvariants. The CDC reported that the XBB.1.5 variant is the most transmissible.

A new subvariant, CH.1.1 “Orthrus,” a descendant of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.75, was reported. In addition, researchers have also discovered that CH.1.1 has a mutation detected in the Delta variant of COVID-19. According to the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker, the week of 1/29/2023-2/4/2023 showed CH.1.1 was the fifth leading subvariant in reported COVID-19 cases.

Researchers have determined that Omicron, as it continues to mutate, is becoming adept at evading immunity created by vaccines and previous infections.

Health Findings

Infectious disease experts and researchers discovered how COVID-19 was transmitted. Scientists identified populations at an increased risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. They shared their findings with the CDC and FDA. They also determined its ability to attack the lungs and spread to other organs. Their research has provided insight into symptoms of COVID-19 and Long COVID.[4]

Long COVID

A study published in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology found that long COVID symptoms can last up to a year. The study results concluded that of the 52 (out of 100) non-hospitalized long COVID patients, neurological symptoms, fatigue, and feeling that their compromised quality of life persisted for approximately 15 months after infection.