A new subvariant of the coronavirus, identified as NB.1.8.1, has surfaced in New York and several other parts of the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The variant, recently linked to outbreaks in countries like China, was flagged through the federal COVID-19 testing program at international airports.
Although still rare on American soil — with fewer than 20 confirmed cases nationwide and just two in New York — the emergence of NB.1.8.1 coincides with potential changes in national vaccine guidelines that could limit access to upcoming fall booster shots.
The World Health Organization, reviewing early data, has said NB.1.8.1 does not appear to cause more severe illness than existing variants. While it may be slightly more transmissible, the WHO emphasized there is no evidence suggesting the strain presents a significant new threat to public health.
In New York City, where COVID-19 indicators have been trending downward since late March, NB.1.8.1 has not yet ranked among the most prevalent variants. The strain’s presence remains too limited to appear on the CDC’s COVID-19 Data Tracker, said agency spokesperson Belsie González.
“When it comes to the spike protein sequence, it doesn’t look particularly concerning to me,” said Andy Pekosz, professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He added that NB.1.8.1 seems to be recognized by antibodies developed in response to other recent strains. “So it doesn’t look like a particularly worrisome variant in terms of how well it can evade population immunity.”
City and state health departments confirmed they are monitoring the situation closely. “The agency has a robust disease surveillance system and is monitoring the situation, as we do for any potential threats that could impact the health of New Yorkers,” said Rachel Vick, spokesperson for the New York City Health Department.
Marissa Crary, spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health, said the agency is also tracking the variant along with others currently in circulation.
While NB.1.8.1’s spread remains limited, COVID-19 continues to circulate seasonally, with some individuals experiencing long-term complications. Updated vaccines are typically released each fall to target dominant strains, and a CDC study published in February showed the current shots reduce the risk of COVID-related emergency and urgent care visits.
However, federal guidance on vaccination may be shifting. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said this week that the CDC is no longer recommending COVID-19 vaccination for “healthy children and healthy pregnant women.” The announcement has sparked concern among public health officials. “If this announcement becomes federal policy, it would restrict access to safe and effective COVID vaccines for pregnant people and children, increasing the risk of serious illness and hospitalization,” Crary said in a statement.
CDC recommendations also influence insurance coverage, meaning fewer people could be eligible for subsidized boosters this fall. The FDA has indicated it may limit vaccine authorizations to adults over 65 and those with underlying health conditions while it reviews data for broader use.
