A new COVID-19 variant is emerging globally and infectious disease experts warn it’s not to be underestimated. On May 23, the World Health Organization officially designated NB.1.8.1 a “variant under monitoring,” according to a risk evaluation of the variant.

U.S. public health authorities have skirted normal procedures and announced two major policy changes that will likely reduce access to COVID-19 vaccines and restrict use to higher-risk populations. Here,