New COVID variant XEC spreads to 11 European countries

A new COVID variant, XEC, is spreading in Europe after first being identified in Germany this summer. It has been reported in at least 11 European countries and four others worldwide. XEC is a hybrid of earlier omicron subvariants and may spread more easily this autumn. It currently accounts for at least 1% of sequenced samples in several countries, including Slovenia and Belgium. Experts believe existing COVID-19 vaccines should still be effective against XEC. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recommends vaccination as protection against severe COVID-19 and seasonal influenza.