Risk evaluation of for SARS-CoV-2 Variant Under Monitoring: XEC

Overview

XEC is currently the only SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring (VUM) with increasing prevalence globally.
Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by XEC is evaluated as low at the
global level. The recommended COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain cross-reactive to this variant against
symptomatic and severe disease, as there is limited immune escape from JN.1 or KP.2 mRNA booster vaccines.
Therefore, the continued spread of this variant alone is unlikely to increase the burden on national public health
systems compared to other Omicron sub-lineages.