New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1 Is Spreading Fast—And the Government’s Cutting Back Vaccine Access

A new COVID-19 variant, known as NB.1.8.1, is officially in the U.S., and it’s spreading quickly.

First spotted in travelers arriving at airports in March and April, the variant has now been reported in several states including California, Ohio, and Hawaii.

NB.1.8.1 is a subvariant of Omicron and comes with all the familiar symptoms: cough, sore throat, fever, fatigue, and even some brain fog or blurred vision. But don’t panic—experts say it’s not causing more severe illness than past versions. It is, however, highly contagious.

As this new variant spreads, the federal government is rolling out new rules that could make it harder for many people to get COVID-19 booster shots. Under the new plan pushed by the Trump administration, healthy children and pregnant women are no longer being recommended for routine vaccination. Instead, boosters will mainly be available to seniors and people with serious health risks.

The FDA now wants vaccine makers to run large clinical trials before expanding booster access to the general population. That means updated shots might not reach everyone in time for the fall.

Over 100 million Americans will still qualify for boosters, but if you’re healthy and under 65, you might have to wait—or pay out of pocket. Health officials are warning that this could lead to confusion and lower vaccination rates, especially with insurance coverage up in the air.

Experts are stressing the basics: keep your hands clean, mask up in crowds, and stay home if you’re sick. Whether or not you can get the shot this season, staying informed and cautious is still key.