COVID-19 Variants and Immunocompromised Protection Strategies: Muhammad Bilal Abid, MD

Emerging COVID-19 variants must be met with current infectious disease prevention protocols curated to the individual needs of each patient with a compromised immune system, Muhammad Bilal Abid, MD, a clinician scientist at the University of Texas Health Science Center, said in an interview with The American Journal of Managed Care®.

The Cicada variant was found in wastewater in 25 states as of February 2026, according to the latest CDC report. It has more than 70 mutations when compared with the initial SARS-Cov-2 strain, causing experts to be concerned that the strain may become more infectious and less tolerable to current vaccines.¹

There is currently 1 monoclonal antibody under emergency use authorization (EUA) for adults and adolescent patients 12 years and older for pre-exposure prevention of COVID-19. The evidence for the EUA came from the CANOPY trial assessing the efficacy of the monoclonal antibody pemivibart, approved under the brand name Pemgrada (Invivyd). During the trial, pemivibart was found to help a subcohort of patients with compromised immune systems, specifically those with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

“It has been successful with every single variant that has emerged so far,” Abid said. “I can say that while we will need to wait for the official testing, until the manufacturer publishes their report through global surveillance, there's little reason to believe that this Cicada variant will not be covered.”

Preventive strategies, especially when treating immunocompromised patients with infectious disease, have to be intensive, Abid said. Patients should continue practicing nonpharmaceutical interventions like hand-washing and taking precautions in close-contact situations or environments. From a clinical standpoint, he encouraged the continuation of standard routine vaccinations.

“In clinical practice, we should continue to practice the way we have to protect our most immunocompromised patients,” Abid said. “We continue to pursue novel platforms such as monoclonal antibodies for pre-exposure prophylaxis, currently available for different viral infections.”

References
1. Early detection and surveillance of the SARS-COV-2 variant BA.3.2 - worldwide, November 2024–February 2026. CDC. March 26, 2026. Accessed May 6, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/mm7510a1.htm