Covid-19 Omicron subvariant XBB.1 strongest by far in vaccine evasion, Hong Kong expert says, warning of arrival of more winter strains

A new coronavirus subvariant called XBB.1 that was recently detected for the first time in Hong Kong has the strongest ability by far to evade vaccine protection, a leading expert has warned, adding travellers could bring in more new strains in winter under eased border curbs.

But Dr Gilman Siu Kit-hang, associate professor of the department of health technology and informatics at Polytechnic University, on Wednesday said vaccination remained effective in preventing severe conditions.