XBB or Gryphon is a new class of Omicron variants (ie: COVID-19 subvariant) that’s coming from China. It includes BQ.1.1, BQ.1, BQ.1.3, BA.2.3.20, and XBB. This new variant (XBB) is thought to have the best ability to evade antibody protections of these newly emerged COVID variants, according to a pre-print study from researchers in China.

That study said that the new strains of Omicron, and XBB in particular, “are the most antibody-evasive strain tested, far exceeding BA.5 and approaching SARS-CoV-1 level.” Meaning, the vaccine and having previously had COVID-19 are not thought to offer the same level of protection against XBB as they have with previous strains of COVID-19.

Antibody drugs like Evusheld and bebtelovimab may also not be very effective against XBB, the study says.

“These variants are evolving to evade protection. The bivalent booster is “likely going to be protective against severe disease” with XBB but will be “imperfect against preventing infection.

Don’t panic, though they say. “When it comes to evasion of vaccine protection, it’s important to recognize that vaccine protection is not all or none.” “Even with immune-evasive variants, vaccine protection against what matters most—severe disease—remains intact.”