Explained: What Are FLiRT COVID Variants and Are They More Dangerous?

The FLiRT variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, have become the dominant strains circulating globally this year, according to the World Health Organization. The acronym FLiRT represents the specific locations of mutations on the virus's spike protein.

One of these variants, KP.2, has emerged as the most prevalent strain in the United States over the past month, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What You Need to Know About FLiRT Variants

How Are the FLiRT Variants Different from Previous Variants?

FLiRT variants, which include KP.2 and its "parental" lineage JN.1, have three key mutations on their spike protein. These mutations potentially help the virus evade antibodies, according to research from Johns Hopkins University.

Are the FLiRT Variants More Contagious or Likely to Cause More Severe Illness?

Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside, New York, and spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America, stated there is no current evidence indicating an increase in disease severity or hospitalizations based on his data and patient experiences. 

"There have been some significant changes in the variants, but in recent times, it's not been as critical, probably because many people already have immunity from previous infections and vaccinations," said Dr. Glatt.

CDC data supports this, showing a downward trend in COVID-related hospitalizations in recent weeks. The number of patients testing positive for COVID in emergency departments has remained steady over the past month.

Data also indicates that COVID rates have declined year-over-year. COVID hospitalizations are less than half of what they were a year ago, and prescriptions for the antiviral Paxlovid have decreased by about 60% from last year.

Do Current Vaccines Work Against the FLiRT Variants?

Dr. Glatt believes that current vaccines should still offer some protection against the new variants. Since 2022, health regulators have instructed vaccine manufacturers to develop new versions of COVID-19 vaccines to better target circulating variants.

Last month, Europe's regulator advised vaccine makers to target the JN.1 variant. U.S. experts and regulators are scheduled to meet on June 5 to discuss vaccine design, having postponed the meeting from May 16 to gather more surveillance data and other relevant information.

Manufacturers of mRNA-based vaccines, such as Pfizer with BioNTech and Moderna, are awaiting the June 5 meeting before finalizing the design of their next vaccines. Novavax, which produces a more traditional protein-based vaccine, has already begun developing a shot targeting JN.1, in line with European regulatory recommendations.

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