New COVID Vaccines Set to Roll To Combat ‘Eris’ Variant

Author Kayla Morgan

August 15th 1:56 PM

A new coronavirus variant, EG.5, has emerged as a prominent presence in the United States, according to Forbes (among other outlets). This variant is a descendant of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant, first identified in November 2021 and reported by New Scientist. It shares a close relationship with XBB.1.9.2, another subtype of omicron, but with an additional mutation in the spike protein. The nickname “Eris” was given to it by T. Ryan Gregory at the University of Guelph, Canada.

Nationwide, EG.5 is contributing to approximately 17% of recent Covid-19 cases in the country, slightly edging out the next most common lineage, XBB.1.16, which accounts for 16%, according to the latest estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As reported by Reuters, a new COVID vaccine is set to be released next month. However, health professionals and analysts anticipate that it might not be well-received, even as hospitalizations increase due to “Eris.” According to the CDC, COVID-19 indicators, including hospital admissions, emergency department visits, test positivity, and wastewater levels, are increasing nationally.

RELATED: 'Loss of Smell Is No Longer Telltale Sign of COVID

Public health specialists hope Americans will embrace this new vaccine similar to how they do with flu shots. Nevertheless, the demand for the vaccine has significantly declined since its initial availability in 2021. Over 240 million individuals in the U.S., which equates to 73% of the population, have already received at least one dose.

Starting next month, healthcare providers and pharmacies like CVS Health will begin providing the updated vaccine designed to combat the Omicron variant of the virus, which has maintained its prevalence since the previous year.

Outside of the United States, EG.5 is rapidly spreading in Ireland, France, the UK, Japan, and China. The World Health Organization (WHO) elevated its classification from a monitored variant to a variant of interest. This shift indicates the organization’s belief that the variant warrants closer monitoring and further study.

Get the latest updates from the CDC here.

5 Surprising Symptoms People Ignore Most When They're Sick

People ignore symptoms when they’re sick for several reasons. Some are simply in denial or scared of what a diagnosis could mean for their lives. They’d rather pretend nothing is wrong than face the truth. And then there are those who just don’t realize how serious their symptoms are. They brush them off as minor annoyances that will go away on their own.

Our busy lives also come into play. We’re so caught up in work and other responsibilities that we put our health on the back burner. It’s like we convince ourselves that we don’t have time to deal with it, hoping the symptoms will magically disappear. Plus, the cost of healthcare can be a huge deterrent. People worry about the financial burden of doctor visits, tests, and treatments, so they choose to tough it out instead.

Talker, a research company, along with OnePoll on behalf of Mucinex, conducted a poll of 2,000 people that revealed the top symptoms people ignore when they are sick. According to their study, around 48 percent of those surveyed brush off symptoms like cold sweats or chills. About 46 percent of people ignore a fever, while the study also revealed that 21 percent of people don’t even acknowledge the presence of green mucus.

Also found in this study is that even though people experience these obvious signs like body aches (46 percent) or a serious cough (19 percent), it takes them two whole days before they finally admit that something might be wrong with them. Interestingly, almost three in five people use the excuse of “it’s just allergies” to explain away their symptoms.

It turns out, one-third would write off a sore or scratchy throat as just allergies, while only 16 percent would acknowledge that they might be sick. Another 14 percent would even go as far as blaming the weather for their discomfort.

“We want to remind people that taking care of their health should always be a top priority, and that includes taking the time to rest and recover when necessary,” Albert So, marketing director of Mucinex, said. “It’s important to understand your body and your symptoms so you can choose the right medication to address your needs.”

Take a look at the complete study here.

These are 5 surprising symptoms people ignore when they’re sick.

Cold sweats or Chills
Chills and cold sweats can be uncomfortable. Chills feel like a sudden wave of cold running through your body, making you shiver. Cold sweats, on the other hand, are when you start sweating but your skin feels cold and damp instead of warm. Some people may not immediately associate these symptoms with something serious. They might attribute them to temporary factors such as being in a cold environment or wearing too many layers of clothing. People may underestimate the significance of cold sweats or chills, especially if they are not accompanied by other noticeable symptoms. They may assume it’s just a passing discomfort that doesn’t require medical attention.

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Fever
When you have a fever, your body temperature rises above its normal range, which is typically around 98.6°F (37°C). Fevers can vary in severity and may range from mild to high-grade, depending on the underlying cause. Sometimes, people ignore a fever for a few reasons. They might think it’s just a common cold or flu and believe it’ll go away on its own. It’s important to remember that a fever can be a sign that the body is fighting an infection or an underlying health condition.

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Body Aches
When you experience body aches, you may feel soreness, tenderness, or a general sense of discomfort in your muscles, joints, or other areas. People may dismiss body aches because they may think it’s just a normal part of everyday life and not something to be concerned about. Some may believe their body aches are due to factors like physical exertion, tiredness, or overexertion during exercise. Also, if someone has experienced them before and they have resolved on their own.

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Green Mucus
Some people may believe that the color of mucus is not a reliable indicator of an illness. While green mucus can be associated with certain infections or respiratory conditions, it’s not always a definite sign of a serious problem. People may assume that it’s normal and will resolve on its own.

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Serious Cough
This kind of cough can disrupt your daily life, mess with your sleep, and leave you feeling exhausted. People ignore serious coughs for a few reasons. Some think it’ll go away on its own or believe it’s just a minor issue like a cold or allergies. Others worry about the cost or hassle of going to the doctor. There’s also the fear of getting a serious diagnosis that can make people hesitant to seek help.

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