The rapid rise of the SARS-CoV-2 variant XFG this summer could make it the dominant strain by the start of the fall COVID season, but experts say current vaccines can likely handle the Omicron-based newcomer.

After its January debut, XFG climbed to number three on the CDC COVID variant list by late June, accounting for an estimated 14% of circulating U.S. SARS-CoV-2 strains. That's up from an estimated 6% in late May. The variant, nicknamed "Stratus," is a recombinant of the LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 Omicron strains.

By June's end, XFG still trailed fellow Omicron variants NB.1.8.1 and LP.8.1.

NB.1.8.1, of " razor blade throat " notoriety, became dominant by late June, at 43% of circulating strains, while the LP.8.1 variant dropped from the top spot in early June, at 47%, to an estimated 31

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