When COVID-19 was first identified, the goal was to develop vaccines that were effective against the initial “spike protein” found in the virus. Since then, several concerning variants of COVID-19 have developed, with the most recent one being the omicron variant.Variants have mutations that can evade the antibody response triggered by the initial vaccines. So, whenever a variant is introduced into the community, we have to consider whether current vaccines and boosters prevent illness and protect against severe disease caused by that variant.The current vaccines and boosters are less effective at preventing illness from omicron, but they’re holding up against development of more serious infection that leads to hospitalization, severe disease and death. The goal of the new COVID-19 boosters is to provide protection against ever getting infected with omicron in the first place.