VIDEO: COVID-19 Omicron BA5 strain with 82 percent of cases
(NBC) - The CDC says the Omicron BA5 strain of COVID-19 now makes up nearly 82 percent of cases nationwide.
The CDC says that the Omicron variant known as BA5 represents nearly 82 percent of total COVID cases in the U.S. for the week ending July 23.
This is a pretty steep jump from July 5 when the CDC reported the BA5 variant made up just 54 percent of total cases.
Experts say the most recent sub-variants BA4 and BA5 are better at getting around vaccines and antibodies than the original Omicron variant.
That means even if your vaccinated and boosted you are more likely to contract those sub-variants than older ones.
Even if you've had COVID before - these new variants are more successful at getting around antibodies produced by your immune system.
In late June, the food and drug administration recommended a modification of new booster shots to target BA4 and BA5.
Pfizer has told NBC news that they plant o have a new vaccine to do just that.
It is expected to be ready for distribution in October.