The National Vaccine Institute revealed that the COVID-19 Cicada variant (B.A.3.2) is currently under surveillance because of its high mutation rate, confirming that vaccines still protect against severe illness.
On 26 March 2026, the Facebook page "National Vaccine Institute" disclosed the following information.FactsRegarding the COVID Cicada variant, after health agencies in several countries have been closely monitoring it due to its many mutations and increasing spread.
They stated that the COVID-19 Cicada variant does exist and is another name for.B.A.3.2, which is asubvariantof Omicron (Omicron subvariant). It was named "Cicada" because of its behavior "emerging after a long silence," like cicada insects that live underground for a long time before appearing all at once. However, it is not a virus originating from crickets.
Reports show that the B.A.3.2 variant has been detected in multiple countries.Includingthe United States. But globally, its proportion remains very low (~1-2% ofall variants). It is still classified as avariantunder monitoring (Variant Under Monitoring, VUM).The WHO states that no increased risk has been found compared to othervariants, but it is noted as a
variantwith a high mutation rate, so it remains in the "under surveillance, not alarm" phase.Can vaccines still protect against the B.A.3.2 variant?The answer: "Yes," especially in preventing severe symptoms.In summary: "This variant does exist, it is not from crickets, it is under surveillance, and we should not let the news cause undue fear."Thanks to the National Vaccine Institute Facebook page for the information.