🕷️ Crawler Inspector

Menu Newsletters [Health Conditions](https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/)   Find helpful content on common health and medical conditions. [See All](https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/) [Cancer](https://www.everydayhealth.com/cancer/)[Cardiovascular Diseases](https://www.everydayhealth.com/cardiovascular-diseases/)[Crohn's Disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/crohns-disease/)[Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)](https://www.everydayhealth.com/eczema/)[Menopause](https://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause/)[Mental Health Conditions](https://www.everydayhealth.com/mental-health-conditions/) [Migraine](https://www.everydayhealth.com/migraine/)[Psoriasis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/psoriasis/)[Rheumatoid Arthritis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/)[Skin Conditions](https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-conditions/)[Type 2 Diabetes](https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/)[Weight Management](https://www.everydayhealth.com/weight-management/) [Wellness & Self-Care](https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness-selfcare/)   Explore wellness and self-care topics for your physical and mental well-being. [See All](https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness-selfcare/) [First Aid](https://www.everydayhealth.com/first-aid/)[Healthy Living](https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/)[Heart Health](https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/)[Mental Health](https://www.everydayhealth.com/mental-health/)[Skin Care](https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-care/) [Skin Care Routines](https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-care-routines/)[Skin Treatments & Procedures](https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-treatments-procedures/)[Stress](https://www.everydayhealth.com/stress/)[Therapy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/therapy/) [Nutrition & Fitness](https://www.everydayhealth.com/nutrition-fitness/)   Explore topics in nutrition and fitness that impact overall health, well-being, and energy. [See All](https://www.everydayhealth.com/nutrition-fitness/) [Diet & Nutrition](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/)[Diet Types](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-types/)[Fitness](https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/)[Healthy Recipes](https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-recipes/) [Mediterranean Diet](https://www.everydayhealth.com/mediterranean-diet/)[Ketogenic Diet](https://www.everydayhealth.com/ketogenic-diet/)[Nutritional Supplements](https://www.everydayhealth.com/nutritional-supplements/)[Workouts & Activities](https://www.everydayhealth.com/workouts-activities/) [News](https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/) Stay updated with the latest health and medical news. [See All](https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/) Featured stories [ Once-a-Week Insulin Shot Could Be a Game Changer for Type 2 Diabetes](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/once-a-week-insulin-shot-is-a-game-changer-for-type-2-diabetes/) [ Eat a Few Go-To Meals on Repeat to Lose Weight, Study Finds](https://www.everydayhealth.com/weight-management/eat-a-few-go-to-meals-on-repeat-to-lose-weight/) [ FDA Approves First-of-Its-Kind Daily Pill for Moderate to Severe Psoriasis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-conditions/fda-approves-daily-pill-for-moderate-to-severe-psoriasis/) [Product Reviews](https://www.everydayhealth.com/product-reviews/)   Learn about the best products to support your health and wellness. [See All](https://www.everydayhealth.com/product-reviews/) [Wellness Products](https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/)[Best Methylated Vitamins](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/best-methylated-multivitamins/)[Best Vitamin D3](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/best-vitamin-d3-supplements/)[Best Berberine Supplements](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/best-berberine-supplements/) [Best Magnesium Supplements](https://www.everydayhealth.com/supplements/best-magnesium-supplements/)[Best Online Therapy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/best-online-therapy/)[Best GLP-1 Online](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition-products/glp-1s-online/)[Best Fiber Supplements](https://www.everydayhealth.com/nutritional-supplements/best-fiber-supplements/) [Find a Doctor](https://www.everydayhealth.care/) POWERED BY   Find the best doctors for you that are near you. [See All](https://www.everydayhealth.care/) [Cardiologist](https://www.everydayhealth.care/specialists/cardiologist/)[Dermatologist](https://www.everydayhealth.care/specialists/dermatologist/)[Gastroenterologist](https://www.everydayhealth.care/specialists/gastroenterologist/)[OB/GYN](https://www.everydayhealth.care/specialists/obstetrician-gynecologist-obgyn/) [Orthopedic Surgeon](https://www.everydayhealth.care/specialists/orthopedic-surgeon/)[Pediatrician](https://www.everydayhealth.care/specialists/pediatrician/)[Primary Care](https://www.everydayhealth.care/specialists/primary-care-specialist-general-practitioner/) POWERED BY [Tools & Resources](https://www.everydayhealth.com/tools-resources/)   Discover tools and resources designed to support your health journey. [See All](https://www.everydayhealth.com/tools-resources/) [Body Type Quiz](https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/do-you-know-your-body-type/)[Check In, Check Up](https://www.everydayhealth.com/check-in-check-up/)[Fiber Calculator](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/how-much-fiber-do-i-need-fiber-calculator/)[Hydration Calculator](https://www.everydayhealth.com/dehydration/hydration-calculator/)[News](https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/) [Protein Calculator](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/protein-calculator/)[Symptom Checker](https://www.everydayhealth.com/symptom-checker/)[Tippi - Everyday Tips](https://www.everydayhealth.com/tippi/)[Videos](https://www.everydayhealth.com/videos/all-videos/)[Weight Loss Calculator](https://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/weight-loss-calculator/) [About Us](https://www.everydayhealth.com/about-us/)   Learn about our award-winning editorial team, health content leaders, and more. [See All](https://www.everydayhealth.com/about-us/) [Contact Us](https://everydayhealthgrouphelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us)[Editorial Policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/editorial-policies/)[Health Expert Network](https://www.everydayhealth.com/health-expert-network/)[Press Center](https://www.everydayhealth.com/press-center/) [Product Testing Policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/about-everyday-health-marketplace/)[Who We Are](https://www.everydayhealth.com/about-us/)[Trusted Health Resources](https://www.everydayhealth.com/trusted-health-resources/) Newsletters [Log in](https://www.everydayhealth.com/login/) Facebook X Instagram Pinterest [Infectious Diseases](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/) [Coronavirus](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/) Explore This Topic Share this article Share on Facebook Share on X Share on Pinterest Copy Link Coronavirus / COVID-19 Learn essential info about COVID-19, including the latest on coronavirus symptoms, virus variants and vaccines, complications, and treatments. [LEARN MORE](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/) - [1Latest News](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/all-articles/?tags=news) - [2What Is COVID-19? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/covid-19/) - [3What Is Long COVID? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/what-is-long-covid-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-treatment-and-prevention/) - [4What Is a Coronavirus?](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/) - [5How to Cope With a COVID-19 Cough](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-cope-with-a-covid-19-cough/) - [6How to Beat COVID-19 Fatigue and Get Your Energy Back](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/how-to-beat-covid-19-fatigue-and-get-your-energy-back/) [SEE MORE](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/) # What if You Get COVID-19 More Than Once? A growing number of people are getting COVID-19 twice, 3 times, even 4. How risky are repeat infections?  iStock By [Don Rauf](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/don-rauf/) Published on October 27, 2022 Medically Reviewed by [Jane Yoon Scott, MD](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/jane-yoon-scott/) Since the start of the pandemic, almost everyone in the United States has had COVID-19, [whether they know it or not](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/most-people-infected-with-the-omicron-covid-19-variant-dont-know-it/). The [Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation](https://www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/files/Projects/COVID/2022/102_briefing_United_States_of_America_9.pdf) (PDF) estimates that 95 percent of Americans were infected at least once by the end of August 2022. And now the number of people experiencing COVID-19 more than once is growing. Hugh Jackman, Drake, Kourtney Kardashian, and Jimmy Kimmel are just a few of the many who have contracted the virus twice. In fact, with the highly infectious omicron variant in circulation, it’s becoming less unusual to have COVID-19 three times — or even four. ## **How Common Are COVID-19 Reinfections?** While the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/reinfection.html) is still collecting and analyzing data on reinfections, some states have presented figures that give some idea of the scope of the issue. A [chart from New York State](https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-reinfection-data) shows that six million New Yorkers contracted COVID-19 for the first time from January 2021 to September 2022, plus 393,000 cases of people who got repeat cases of COVID-19. That suggests that just over 6 percent of total cases were reinfections. At the end of September, the [Department of Health in Hawaii](https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/doh-news-release-hawaii-covid-19-hospitalizations-on-the-rise/) reported that the percentage of COVID-19 cases involving individuals who had a prior infection has grown to about 10 percent of new confirmed cases. “The data on reinfections underscores what we have been saying; that limited immunity from previous infection only lasts so long. Regardless of whether a person has had COVID-19 in the past, they should stay up to date on their vaccinations and boosters to get increased protection from severe illness and hospitalization,” said Hawaii State epidemiologist Sarah Kemble, MD, in a [statement](https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/doh-news-release-hawaii-covid-19-hospitalizations-on-the-rise/). #### #### Next up video playing in 10 seconds ### 10 Most Common COVID-19 Symptoms Now Covid-19 has continued to evolve since the start of the pandemic. Here are the latest signs and symptoms. ## **New Omicron Subvariants May Be Driving More Reinfections** Since COVID-19 first appeared around three years ago, the virus has been evolving. Omicron has proven to be an efficient spreader of the disease, with the BA.5 and BA.4 subvariants especially good at evading protection provided by vaccines and previous infection. “The bad news is these omicron subvariants are causing the majority of reinfections,” says [Dean Winslow, MD](https://profiles.stanford.edu/dean-winslow), professor of medicine at Stanford University in California. “But the good news is, it does appear that the omicron variants are less virulent \[meaning they are less likely to cause severe disease\] than the original Wuhan strain or the delta variant.” Around 6 in 10 cases in the United States are currently due to BA.5, according to the [CDC](https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions), with BA.4.6 (a sublineage of BA.4) accounting for more than 11 percent of infections. Other, newer variants are gaining ground. Over the week ending October 22, two new variants jumped to the forefront, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, which now make up about 17 percent of cases. The BF.7 subvariant jumped from 5.3 percent of U.S. cases to 6.7 percent in a week, while BA.2.75 and BA.2.75.2 climbed from 2.7 percent of new infections to 2.9 percent. While research on these mutations is preliminary, early data posted to [bioRxiv](https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.09.16.508299v2.full.pdf) suggests that BA.2.75 may be highly capable of evading antibodies from prior COVID-19 infection. Another [investigation published October 19 in *The New England Journal of Medicine*](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2212117) suggested that BA.4.6 could drive reinfections. ## **How Well Do Vaccines Ward Off COVID-19?** Back in late 2021 and early 2022, as omicron took over from the delta variant, it became clear that existing vaccines were less effective than they had been at keeping people from getting infected. An [ABC News analysis](https://abcnews.go.com/Health/breakthrough-covid-19-cases-deaths-rise-amid-push/story?id=85114757) of data collected by the CDC found that between April 2021 and April 2022, so-called breakthrough cases grew from 3 percent of new COVID-19 infections to more than 60 percent. Although boosters initially bumped up protection against all infections, a [CDC study published in 2022](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7107e2.htm) discovered that their ability to ward off mild or moderate illness began to wane after four months. “Despite vaccine limitations, people still need to understand how good they are,” says [William Schaffner, MD](https://www.vumc.org/health-policy/person/william-schaffner-md), an infectious disease specialist and professor of preventive medicine and health policy at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. “Vaccines are exceedingly effective in preventing severe disease. They’re designed to keep you out of the hospital and the intensive care unit, and keep you from dying.” ## **Can the Updated Bivalent Boosters Help Prevent Infection and Reinfection?** When omicron came on the scene late last year, readily infecting even immunized people, federal health officials urged vaccine makers to retool their shots and come up with a formula that would target this new variant. By September 1, both the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CDC](https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0901-covid-19-booster.html) had green-lighted updated boosters from Pfizer and Moderna. The [new bivalent boosters](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/should-you-get-an-omicron-booster/) target BA.4 and BA.5 by including components of the virus’s so-called spike protein to the existing vaccine composition. “The updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variant. They can help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and were designed to provide broader protection against newer variants,” said Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, director of the CDC, in a [statement](https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0901-covid-19-booster.html). Preliminary evidence suggests that the bivalent vaccines offer more powerful protection than earlier formulations. Infectious disease experts say it’s still too early to predict how well the boosters will perform in the real world. “We just don’t have robust enough data yet just because so few people have been vaccinated \[with the updated booster\],” says Dr. Winslow. Winslow adds that he wouldn’t be surprised if we begin to treat COVID-19 like the flu — as scientists identify new variants, vaccine makers adjust their formulas each year to match. “It’s like playing whack-a-mole with this virus,” says Winslow. “New variants keep popping up and we’ll need to come up with ways to hit them down.” ## **Is Reinfection Good or Bad for You?** The CDC says that people who recover from COVID-19 retain antibodies that offer some protection against reinfection. But the consequences of repeat infections may lead to unexpected health troubles down the road. A [preliminary study](https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-1749502/v1) from Washington University in St. Louis looked at the health records of more than 5.4 million Veterans Administration patients. The researchers found that those who had COVID-19 more than once had double the odds of having or dying from a heart attack compared with those who’d had COVID-19 just once. Lung, kidney, and gastrointestinal health risks were also greater among the reinfected. The researchers identified patients with a first infection between March 2020 and September 2022, following them until April 2022. Just over a quarter-million had COVID-19 just the one time during that period, while more than 36,000 had two infections, over 2,200 had three infections, and 246 had four or more infections. The study authors noted that negative health outcomes were lowest in people with one infection, increased in people with two infections, and were highest in people with three or more infections. ## **Does Reinfection Raise Long COVID Risk?** While there is concern that reinfections may raise the risk of long COVID or make symptoms of long COVID worse, Dr. Schaffner says, “In regards to reinfection, we have so many variables out there that I won’t say what the implications for long COVID are. I think we don’t know at this stage. The updated vaccines should reduce your chances of getting reinfected, but the bottom line is getting vaccinated will help keep you out of the hospital and \[protect you\] from getting severely ill.” He adds that as reinfections rise, standard precautions such as masking up indoors in public spaces and testing before group gatherings can help reduce risks and are especially important for events that include people who are vulnerable to severe COVID-19, such as seniors and those with heart disease. Meet Our Experts [See Our Editorial Policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/editorial-policies/) [Meet Our Health Expert Network](https://www.everydayhealth.com/health-expert-network/)   #### Jane Yoon Scott, MD ##### Medical Reviewer Jane Yoon Scott, MD, is an infectious disease physician and an assistant professor of medicine at [Emory University](https://med.emory.edu/directory/profile/?u=JCYOON) in Atlanta. Dr. Scott enjoys connecting with her patients, empowering them to understand and take ownership of their health, and encouraging them to ask questions so that they can make informed and thoughtful decisions. She graduated with the highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology, then received her MD from the Medical College of Georgia. She completed her internal medicine residency training and chief residency at Temple University Hospital, as well as a fellowship in infectious diseases at Emory University. She is board-certified in both internal medicine and infectious diseases. When she is not seeing patients, Dr. Scott works with neighboring health departments to promote public health, especially to communities that have been historically underserved. She also teaches medical trainees and lectures medical students at the Emory University School of Medicine. In her free time, Dr. Scott appreciates a good coffee shop, weekend hikes, playing guitar, strolling through cities, sampling restaurants, and traveling to new places. [See full bio](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/jane-yoon-scott/)   #### Don Rauf ##### Author Don Rauf has been a freelance health writer for over 12 years and his writing has been featured in HealthDay, CBS News, WebMD, U.S. News & World Report, Mental Floss, United Press International (UPI), *Health*, and MedicineNet. He was previously a reporter for DailyRx.com where he covered stories related to cardiology, diabetes, lung cancer, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, menopause, and allergies. He has interviewed doctors and pharmaceutical representatives in the U.S. and abroad. He is a prolific writer and has written more than 50 books, including *Lost America: Vanished Civilizations*, *Abandoned Towns*, and *Roadside Attractions*. Rauf lives in Seattle, Washington. [See full bio](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/don-rauf/) [See Our Editorial Policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/editorial-policies/) [Meet Our Health Expert Network](https://www.everydayhealth.com/health-expert-network/)   Sign up for our Daily Health News Newsletter\! RELATED ARTICLES [See all in Coronavirus](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/?view=all "See all in Coronavirus") [Highly Mutated New COVID Variant ‘Cicada’ Detected in 25 U.S. States](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/highly-mutated-new-covid-variant-cicada-detected-in-us/)  CoronavirusHighly Mutated New COVID Variant ‘Cicada’ Detected in 25 U.S. States Published on Mar 25, 2026 [Where to Get an Updated COVID Shot for 2025–2026](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/where-to-get-an-updated-covid-shot-for-2025-2026/)  CoronavirusWhere to Get an Updated COVID Shot for 2025–2026 Published on Sep 15, 2025 [COVID Summer Surge May Be Starting](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/covid-summer-surge-may-be-starting/)  CoronavirusCOVID Summer Surge May Be Starting Published on Jul 24, 2025 [New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1 Detected in the U.S.](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/new-covid-variant-nb-1-8-1-detected-in-the-us/)  CoronavirusNew COVID Variant NB.1.8.1 Detected in the U.S. Published on May 29, 2025 [FDA to Limit COVID-19 Vaccines to Older and High-Risk Americans](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/fda-to-limit-covid-19-vaccines-to-older-and-high-risk-americans/)  CoronavirusFDA to Limit COVID-19 Vaccines to Older and High-Risk Americans Published on May 21, 2025 [Updated COVID Vaccines for 2024–2025 Get FDA Approval](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/updated-covid-vaccines-for-2024-2025-gets-fda-approval/)  CoronavirusUpdated COVID Vaccines for 2024–2025 Get FDA Approval Published on Aug 23, 2024 [COVID Summer Surge Now Driven by New Variant KP.3.1.1](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/covid-summer-surge-now-driven-by-new-variant-kp3-1-1/)  CoronavirusCOVID Summer Surge Now Driven by New Variant KP.3.1.1 Published on Aug 09, 2024 [The COVID-19 Summer Surge Is Here](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/covid-summer-surge-is-here/)  CoronavirusThe COVID-19 Summer Surge Is Here Published on Jul 08, 2024 [COVID Rebound Is Real — Is Paxlovid to Blame?](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/covid-rebound-is-real-and-surprisingly-common/)  CoronavirusCOVID Rebound Is Real — Is Paxlovid to Blame? Medically Reviewed by Jane Yoon Scott, MD \| Mar 20, 2024 [CDC Recommends Seniors Get Another COVID-19 Vaccine Dose This Spring](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/cdc-recommends-seniors-get-another-covid-vaccine-dose-this-spring/)  CoronavirusCDC Recommends Seniors Get Another COVID-19 Vaccine Dose This Spring Published on Mar 01, 2024 [Updated COVID Vaccine Offers Strong Protection Against Dominant JN.1 Variant](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/updated-covid-vaccine-offers-strong-protection-against-dominant-jn-1-variant/)  CoronavirusUpdated COVID Vaccine Offers Strong Protection Against Dominant JN.1 Variant Published on Feb 06, 2024 [What Are the Symptoms of JN.1, the New COVID-19 Variant?](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/what-are-the-symptoms-of-jn-1-the-new-covid-19-variant/)  CoronavirusWhat Are the Symptoms of JN.1, the New COVID-19 Variant? Published on Jan 19, 2024 [Spread of COVID-19 Variant ‘Pirola’ Raises Concerns](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/rising-covid-19-variant-pirola-raises-concerns/)  CoronavirusSpread of COVID-19 Variant ‘Pirola’ Raises Concerns Published on Dec 01, 2023 [HV.1 Is Now the Top COVID-19 Variant as Emerging JN.1 Raises Concern](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/hv-1-is-now-the-top-covid-19-variant-as-emerging-jn-1-raises-concern/)  CoronavirusHV.1 Is Now the Top COVID-19 Variant as Emerging JN.1 Raises Concern Published on Nov 03, 2023 [What Is COVID-19? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention](https://www.everydayhealth.com/infectious-diseases/covid-19/)  CoronavirusWhat Is COVID-19? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention Medically Reviewed by Jane Yoon Scott, MD \| Sep 29, 2023 [FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Boosters for Fall 2023](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/fda-approves-updated-covid-19-boosters-for-fall/)  CoronavirusFDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Boosters for Fall 2023 Published on Sep 12, 2023 [EU.1.1 Emerges as the Latest COVID-19 Subvariant](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/eu-1-1-emerges-as-the-latest-covid-19-subvariant/)  CoronavirusEU.1.1 Emerges as the Latest COVID-19 Subvariant Published on Jul 05, 2023 [7 Top COVID-19 Vaccine Myths, Debunked](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/biggest-covid-vaccine-myths/)  Coronavirus7 Top COVID-19 Vaccine Myths, Debunked Medically Reviewed by Justin Laube, MD \| May 26, 2023 [Most People Infected With the Omicron COVID-19 Variant Don’t Know It, Study Suggests](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/most-people-infected-with-the-omicron-covid-19-variant-dont-know-it/)  CoronavirusMost People Infected With the Omicron COVID-19 Variant Don’t Know It, Study Suggests Published on Aug 19, 2022 [COVID-19 Booster News and FAQs](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/covid-19-booster-shots-are-coming/)  CoronavirusCOVID-19 Booster News and FAQs Medically Reviewed by Justin Laube, MD \| Jan 27, 2022 Wellness inspired. Wellness enabled. Facebook X Instagram Pinterest Youtube TikTok A PROPERTY OF [EHGLogo](https://www.everydayhealthgroup.com/ "Everyday Health Group") - [About Us](https://www.everydayhealth.com/about-us/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/privacyterms/#everyday_health_privacy_policy) - [Editorial Policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/editorial-policies/) - [Terms of Use](https://www.everydayhealth.com/privacyterms/#everyday-health-terms-of-use) - [Meet Our Health Expert Network](https://www.everydayhealth.com/health-expert-network/) - [Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/privacyterms/#consumer-health-data-privacy-policy) - [Careers](https://jobs.jobvite.com/everyday-health-consumer) - [Accessibility Statement](https://www.everydayhealth.com/accessibility-statement/) - [Do Not Sell My Personal Information](https://www.everydayhealth.com/ccpa-privacy-policy/) - [Contact Us](https://everydayhealthgrouphelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us) - [Press Center](https://www.everydayhealth.com/press-center/) - [All Health Topics](https://www.everydayhealth.com/all-health-topics/) - [Popular Topics](https://www.everydayhealth.com/most-popular/) - [Drugs & Supplements](https://www.everydayhealth.com/all-drugs-supplements/) - AdChoices NEWSLETTERS Get the best in health and wellness © 1996-2026 Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. All rights reserved. Everyday Health is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission.All information on the Everyday Health website is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For more details, see Everyday Health's [Terms of Use](https://www.everydayhealth.com/privacyterms/#everyday-health-terms-of-use). [Badges](https://privacy.truste.com/privacy-seal/validation?rid=01b0263e-277d-4e52-9ddd-86550128ec1a "TRUSTe Verified Privacy")

## **New Omicron Subvariants May Be Driving More Reinfections** Since COVID-19 first appeared around three years ago, the virus has been evolving. Omicron has proven to be an efficient spreader of the disease, with the BA.5 and BA.4 subvariants especially good at evading protection provided by vaccines and previous infection. “The bad news is these omicron subvariants are causing the majority of reinfections,” says [Dean Winslow, MD](https://profiles.stanford.edu/dean-winslow), professor of medicine at Stanford University in California. “But the good news is, it does appear that the omicron variants are less virulent \[meaning they are less likely to cause severe disease\] than the original Wuhan strain or the delta variant.” Around 6 in 10 cases in the United States are currently due to BA.5, according to the [CDC](https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions), with BA.4.6 (a sublineage of BA.4) accounting for more than 11 percent of infections. Other, newer variants are gaining ground. Over the week ending October 22, two new variants jumped to the forefront, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, which now make up about 17 percent of cases. The BF.7 subvariant jumped from 5.3 percent of U.S. cases to 6.7 percent in a week, while BA.2.75 and BA.2.75.2 climbed from 2.7 percent of new infections to 2.9 percent. While research on these mutations is preliminary, early data posted to [bioRxiv](https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.09.16.508299v2.full.pdf) suggests that BA.2.75 may be highly capable of evading antibodies from prior COVID-19 infection. Another [investigation published October 19 in *The New England Journal of Medicine*](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2212117) suggested that BA.4.6 could drive reinfections. ## **How Well Do Vaccines Ward Off COVID-19?** Back in late 2021 and early 2022, as omicron took over from the delta variant, it became clear that existing vaccines were less effective than they had been at keeping people from getting infected. An [ABC News analysis](https://abcnews.go.com/Health/breakthrough-covid-19-cases-deaths-rise-amid-push/story?id=85114757) of data collected by the CDC found that between April 2021 and April 2022, so-called breakthrough cases grew from 3 percent of new COVID-19 infections to more than 60 percent. Although boosters initially bumped up protection against all infections, a [CDC study published in 2022](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7107e2.htm) discovered that their ability to ward off mild or moderate illness began to wane after four months. “Despite vaccine limitations, people still need to understand how good they are,” says [William Schaffner, MD](https://www.vumc.org/health-policy/person/william-schaffner-md), an infectious disease specialist and professor of preventive medicine and health policy at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. “Vaccines are exceedingly effective in preventing severe disease. They’re designed to keep you out of the hospital and the intensive care unit, and keep you from dying.” ## **Can the Updated Bivalent Boosters Help Prevent Infection and Reinfection?** When omicron came on the scene late last year, readily infecting even immunized people, federal health officials urged vaccine makers to retool their shots and come up with a formula that would target this new variant. By September 1, both the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CDC](https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0901-covid-19-booster.html) had green-lighted updated boosters from Pfizer and Moderna. The [new bivalent boosters](https://www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/should-you-get-an-omicron-booster/) target BA.4 and BA.5 by including components of the virus’s so-called spike protein to the existing vaccine composition. “The updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to better protect against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variant. They can help restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination and were designed to provide broader protection against newer variants,” said Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, director of the CDC, in a [statement](https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0901-covid-19-booster.html). Preliminary evidence suggests that the bivalent vaccines offer more powerful protection than earlier formulations. Infectious disease experts say it’s still too early to predict how well the boosters will perform in the real world. “We just don’t have robust enough data yet just because so few people have been vaccinated \[with the updated booster\],” says Dr. Winslow. Winslow adds that he wouldn’t be surprised if we begin to treat COVID-19 like the flu — as scientists identify new variants, vaccine makers adjust their formulas each year to match. “It’s like playing whack-a-mole with this virus,” says Winslow. “New variants keep popping up and we’ll need to come up with ways to hit them down.” ## **Is Reinfection Good or Bad for You?** The CDC says that people who recover from COVID-19 retain antibodies that offer some protection against reinfection. But the consequences of repeat infections may lead to unexpected health troubles down the road. A [preliminary study](https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-1749502/v1) from Washington University in St. Louis looked at the health records of more than 5.4 million Veterans Administration patients. The researchers found that those who had COVID-19 more than once had double the odds of having or dying from a heart attack compared with those who’d had COVID-19 just once. Lung, kidney, and gastrointestinal health risks were also greater among the reinfected. The researchers identified patients with a first infection between March 2020 and September 2022, following them until April 2022. Just over a quarter-million had COVID-19 just the one time during that period, while more than 36,000 had two infections, over 2,200 had three infections, and 246 had four or more infections. The study authors noted that negative health outcomes were lowest in people with one infection, increased in people with two infections, and were highest in people with three or more infections. ## **Does Reinfection Raise Long COVID Risk?** While there is concern that reinfections may raise the risk of long COVID or make symptoms of long COVID worse, Dr. Schaffner says, “In regards to reinfection, we have so many variables out there that I won’t say what the implications for long COVID are. I think we don’t know at this stage. The updated vaccines should reduce your chances of getting reinfected, but the bottom line is getting vaccinated will help keep you out of the hospital and \[protect you\] from getting severely ill.” He adds that as reinfections rise, standard precautions such as masking up indoors in public spaces and testing before group gatherings can help reduce risks and are especially important for events that include people who are vulnerable to severe COVID-19, such as seniors and those with heart disease.