'Only Time Will Tell' About Severity Of New COVID Strain: Expert

OCEANSIDE, NY — There's a new strain of COVID-19 that has made its way to the U.S.

NB.1.8.1, connected to the Omicron variant, is getting traction in parts of the world, the World Health Organization said.

However, Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside said there is no need for panic based on the current data.

"It doesn't look like this new strain is more severe, in terms of the illness that it causes, or that it causes any different type of illness," Dr. Glatt told Patch. "It's unclear whether it will be more contagious because it has some variants in it that your body may not have as much immunity to."

"Only time will tell" with regards to NB.1.8.1, but Glatt said "at the present time there's no evidence to suggest that it causes more severe illness."

News of the new strain comes amid updated vaccination guidelines coming from the Trump administration.

It calls for limiting approval of COVID-19 boosters to seniors and others at high risk until there are more data.

Glatt said the new vaccine guidance is not a mandate.

"Each individual's physician should discuss this," he said. "For pregnant women, it's still reasonable for them to get this vaccine [and] for children, it depends on the child."

Another factor for prioritizing the booster shot is if the person recently had COVID.

The current vaccine does not work specifically for the new COVID strain, although the next booster is expected to be available this fall.

"They should be constantly updating the vaccines, like we do with flu, to get you the best immunity possible from vaccinations," Glatt said.