Epidemiological update: SARS-CoV-2 and NB.1.8.1 variant assessment

Key messages In the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU/EEA), respiratory consultation rates are currently at baseline levels or have returned to levels observed at this time in previous seasons. Slow increases in SARS-Co V-2 epidemiological indicators have been observed in many EU/EEA countries in recent weeks, however levels remain low and no significant impact on secondary care or on the number of deaths (including excess mortality) has been observed to date. NB.1.8.1 is not expected to cause an increased risk to public health compared to other recently circulating Omicron-descendant SARS-Co V-2 variants. No clinical studies are currently available for COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness for NB.1.8.1, but no significant impact on vaccine effectiveness against severe disease is anticipated based on its mutation profile and early laboratory studies. NB.1.8.1 is currently circulating at low proportions in the EU/EEA but is expected to rise in the coming weeks. Of note, population immunity has most likely fallen following a winter with low circulation of SARS-Co V-2 which may lead to some increases not only of SARS-Co V-2 infections, but also of hospitalisations in the coming weeks, particularly among groups at risk of severe disease, such as older adults. Additionally, during the recent winter season, COVID-19 vaccine coverage in older adults was suboptimal in several EU/EEA countries with only one country reaching more than 80% coverage, and seven countries...