11 September 2023 , 06:54
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Another new wave of Covid booster vaccines are being rolled out across the UK starting from today, as a highly mutated variant continues to creep across the country.
BA.2.86 is the latest variant to catch the attention of scientists. It has not yet been branded a ‘Variant of Concern’ but is being monitored due to its noticeably high levels of mutations. Nicknamed Pirola, the variant is still only responsible for a few dozen cases, but scientists couldn’t trace where its mutations developed before it was seemingly transmitting internally within the UK - known as community transmission.
Now, combined with the annual winter flu surge, the country could face a twindemic of both viruses. In response, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) quickly brought forward its vaccination programme, seeing as there has been an outbreak in a Norfolk care home, that saw all 34 cases confirmed to be BA.2.86.
People eligible for the booster jab:
Care home residents
All adults aged 65 and older
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People aged six months to 64 in a clinical risk group, this includes pregnant women, people with diabetes, obesity and more - visit the UKHSA for the full list of those in the clinical risk group
Frontline health and social workers
People aged 12 to 64 who live with people with weakened immune systems
People aged 16 to 64 who are carers and/or staff working in care homes for older adults
These people are prioritised because the risk of a severe Covid infection continues to be associated with underlying health conditions and age. The vaccinations begin today and from September 18, next week, the NHS will start to invite people in priority order of risk to book their jabs.
These groups will be able to book their jabs through the NHS website, the NHS App, or by calling 119. GP surgeries or other local NHS services are also contacting people to offer the vaccines. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all also brought their booster campaigns forward as well. This is being done as a “precautionary measure” in light of the new variant, which was first detected on Friday 18 August.
Scientists still aren’t sure whether it is deadlier, or more transmissible than past variants, but speaking to Sky News UKHSA chief Susan Hopkins said the variant had about 30 mutations when compared to Omicron - it’s this that has caught health chief’s attention.
Covid case rates still remain relatively low, but people are being urged to get their jabs, as well as the flu vaccine to avoid a potential “twindemic” straining the health service. Alongside that, the UK has rapidly become the centre of the global BA.2.86 outbreak and now has 36 cases according to GIS Aid.
However, this data was accurate as of the end of August - suggesting true case rates are actually higher - and there are actually two slight variations of BA.2.86 globally, with one originally found in South Africa, Cambodia and Israel, and a second in parts of western Europe.
NHS director of vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: “The NHS flu and Covid vaccination programmes have been very effective in protecting those at greatest risk and we will work at speed to ensure they are protected once again this year, starting with care homes and those who are housebound today.
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“With concerns arising over new Covid variants, it’s vital we adapt the programme and bring it forward for those most at risk, and so I strongly urge everyone eligible to come forward as soon as they can for this important protection in colder months. NHS staff have worked hard to ensure services are ready for patients to get jabbed at an earlier stage so they can get their protection as soon as possible.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UKHSA, said: “Older people and those in clinical risk groups remain at highest risk of serious illness from Covid-19. The vaccine continues to provide the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from Covid-19, so please make sure you get vaccinated when offered and encourage loved ones who are eligible to do the same.”
Children aged two to 17 will also be able to have flu vaccinations from next week. The UKHSA is urging parents to fill out the consent forms for the nasal spray vaccine, which is administered at school and via GP surgeries.
If unsure or worried, call 119 or visit your GP.