The 'Kraken' COVID variant taking hold in the U.S. Here's how many vaccine shots there are—and what experts recommend to protect yourself

(Credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN—AFP/Getty Images)

Another highly contagious COVID-19 variant called XBB.1.5 has made its way to the U.S. with the World Health Organization (WHO) calling it “the most transmissible” variant to date. 

Coined “Kraken” by a Canadian biology professor, the new variant is laying down roots in the U.S, although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have had some wavering data on how many cases "Kraken" has caused. It now estimates that the variant will make up over a fourth of total cases this week.