The effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines against the XBB.1.16 variant is not definitively known, as specific studies on this variant are limited. However, some insights can be drawn from studies on related variants.
However, data from the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program in the United States showed that the bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines provided some protection against symptomatic infection caused by XBB/XBB.1.5-related sublineages among immunocompetent adults, with a vaccine effectiveness of 48%.[3]
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has noted that the effectiveness of monovalent COVID-19 vaccines has declined over time due to differences between the virus for which the initial vaccines were designed and currently circulating variants.[4] The ACIP recommends that all persons should stay up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including receiving a bivalent booster dose when they are eligible.[4]
Further research is needed to determine the specific effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines against the XBB.1.16 variant.