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 New research by a team of San Francisco scientists is raising questions about the usefulness of a new omicron-specific COVID vaccine for next fall, as the virus quickly evolves and the risk of illness is likely to soar.

The study, , offers growing evidence that federal policymakers must make a tough choice: Should today’s vaccine be changed — and, if so, how?

Time is tight, so a decision is planned next month. It comes as the nation is in the midst of a new wave of infections related to new omicron variant subtypes, averaging more than 105,000 new cases a day for the first time since February. An estimated 58% of all new U.S. cases are linked to the hyper-transmissible BA.2.12.1 omicron variant, which is quickly spreading among both the vaccinated and previously infected.