What to Know About the New ‘Cicada’ COVID-19 Variant

Plus, why experts say older adults shouldn’t neglect getting a spring booster

Rachel Nania,

AARP

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Published April 01, 2026

conceptual 3D illustration on a pink background featuring two vials of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus vaccine. Between the two vials is a blue plus sign, and a red heart is positioned to the right of the second vial

AARP (Getty Images)

Rates of flu, RSV and other wintertime respiratory bugs are declining in most areas of the country, but health experts say it’s not time to let your guard down. Researchers are keeping a close eye on a COVID variant that could fuel a surge in cases this spring or summer if it spreads widely.

The variant — formally known as BA.3.2 and nicknamed “cicada” — has been reported in more than 20 countries, including the U.S, where it currently accounts for about 11 percent of COVID samples, according to wastewater surveillance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The concern, doctors and researchers say, is that BA.3.2, which is part of the Omicron family, has roughly 70 to 75 mutations relative to the coronavirus strains that were used to make the fall vaccines. Meaning, if you were to encounter this variant, your immune system might have a harder time recognizing and blocking it.

“There’s uncertainty about how well the vaccine-related immunity that we have, or even immunity from previous infections, might protect us against this variant,” says Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert and professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

There is some good news, however. So far, BA.3.2 doesn’t account for a large share of cases in the U.S., which means it’s spreading, but not as quickly as some other variants we’ve seen — though this could change, says Dr. Tyler B. Evans, an infectious disease physician and cofounder of Wellness Equity Alliance.

What’s more, there’s no indication that the variant causes new symptoms or more severe illness. “We’re still tracking it, but we haven’t seen any sort of major substantive difference between prior variants,” Evans says.

According to the CDC, common symptoms of a COVID infection can include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
New loss of taste or smell
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

If BA.3.2’s circulation does pick up, it could fuel a late spring or early summer COVID surge, Schaffner says. That wouldn’t be unusual: The U.S. has seen summer spikes in previous years. “What will happen this summer is a little bit uncertain,” he adds.

Older adults should get a spring booster

In previous years, health officials have recommended that adults 65 and older and others at higher risk for complications from a coronavirus infection get a spring COVID vaccine to boost their waning immunity through the warm-weather months — and both Schaffner and Evans say that recommendation stands.

“Absolutely get your booster,” Evans says. “It’s the best tool that we currently have.” That’s the case even if newer variants are better at sidestepping some of its protections.

Schaffner says the patients in his hospital with COVID are individuals in high-risk groups who share an additional characteristic: “They are not up to date on their vaccines,” he says.

The COVID vaccine is updated each fall to match strains of the virus that researchers predict will be circulating during cold and flu season. And while an annual shot will suffice for many people, it’s recommended that adults 65 and older receive a second shot about six months after the initial fall vaccine to maintain their protection until the following fall. People who are immunocompromised might need more frequent boosters.

The COVID vaccine, including the spring shot, is covered at no cost under most health plans, including Medicare, and you can find it at pharmacies and clinics, though you should call ahead to check stock.

In addition to the vaccine, Evans says folks should continue to take everyday actions, like frequent handwashing and wearing a mask in crowded spaces if you’re concerned about indoor spread, to lower your likelihood of getting sick.

“[COVID] is still with us,” Schaffner says. “We shouldn’t think that it’s over in any way.”

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