- A new Covid variant, BA.3.2, has been detected in 23 countries, including the UK and US.
- The variant, which descended from Omicron, was first identified in South Africa in 2024 and began to surge in September 2025.
- US scientists have raised concerns that the BA.3.2 variant is genetically distinct with numerous spike protein changes, potentially allowing it to spread more easily and evade immune protection.
- Laboratory studies suggest that the 2025–2026 LP.8.1-adapted mRNA Covid-19 vaccine may offer the lowest antibody neutralisation against BA.3.2 compared to other variants.
- Despite these concerns, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says that there is currently no evidence that BA.3.2 is more transmissible or causes more severe illness than previous variants.
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