In response to emerging COVID-19 variants, the LP.8.1 mRNA booster has been designed to enhance immunity against circulating strains, overcoming immune imprinting.
During the summer of 2025, the SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 sublineage became the dominant strain, accompanied by resistant variants, including XFG, LP.8.1, and NB.1.8.1. To combat this, COVID-19 mRNA boosters were updated for the 2025–2026 season to specifically target the spike protein of LP.8.1. Previous boosters, especially the WA1/2020+BA.5 bivalent version, had notably boosted immunity towards the ancestral strain, a situation referred to as immune imprinting. This study assessed whether the new LP.8.1 mRNA booster would enhance responses to currently circulating strains.
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