“…We and other groups have shown that XBB has higher immune-evasion capabilities than earlier variants, including BA.5 and BA.2. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 Although XBB.1.5 and XBB share most of the amino acid substitutions in the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein, which is the major target for vaccines and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, XBB.1.5 has an additional substitution not found in XBB (ie, S486P). Therefore, we should evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic drugs and the effect of COVID-19 vaccines against XBB.1.5.…”