30 August 2023 , 15:13
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Concerns over the new Covid variant has sparked an earlier roll out of the flu and coronavirus jabs.
It comes a week after US health officials said variant BA.2.86 is highly mutated and potentially more likely to infect those previously vaccinated. Vaccine immunity will be boosted starting with the most vulnerable in care homes and the immunosuppressed from September 11 followed by the over-65s and care workers.
The “precautionary measure” is being taken after scientists from UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) examined the variant first detected in August. Steve Russell, NHS England’ vaccinations director, said: “While we know that flu and covid usually hit hardest in December and January, the new covid variant presents a greater risk now, which is why we will be ensuring as many people as possible are vaccinated against Covid sooner.”
Health Minister Minister Caulfield said: “As our world-leading scientists gather more information on the BA.2.86 variant, it makes sense to bring forward the vaccination programme.
“It is absolutely vital the most vulnerable groups receive a vaccine to strengthen their immunity over winter to protect themselves and reduce pressure on the NHS.” It comes after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said BA.2.86 may also be more likely to cause illness in people who have recently recovered from a Covid infection.
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The UKHSA has this year decided to withdraw free Covid and flu jabs for Brits aged 50 to 64. It had also planned to delay the start of the annual vaccine programme until October to maximise immunity during the peak of sickness season, around the turn of the year.
Dame Jenny Harries, UKHSA chief executive, said: “As we continue to live with Covid-19 we expect to see new variants emerge. Thanks to the success of our vaccine programme, we have built strong, broad immune defences against new variants throughout the population. However, some people remain more vulnerable to severe illness from Covid-19. This precautionary measure to bring forward the autumn programme will ensure these people have protection against any potential wave this winter.
“There is limited information available at present on BA.2.86 so the potential impact of this particular variant is difficult to estimate. As with all emergent and circulating Covid-19 variants we will continue to monitor BA.2.86 and to advise Government and the public as we learn more. In the meantime, please come forward for the vaccine when you are called.”
Elderly care home residents and the immunosuppressed, such as cancer patients, will receive jabs first as UK scientists continue to investigate the new variant. The NHS will start to invite people in priority order of risk from September 18 and those eligible will be able to book an appointment on the National Booking Service.
Covid boosters and the annual flu jab will be administered in the same appointment where local stocks allow. Compared to other strains descended from the Omicron subvariant, BA.2.86 has many more mutations, meaning those without recent antibodies will be less protected. There is no evidence yet it causes more severe illness.
The UKHSA said BA.2.86 has appeared in several countries in individuals without travel history. While it is not currently classified as a variant of concern, advice from the UKHSA is that speeding up the autumn vaccine programme will deliver greater protection.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England medical director, said: “Vaccinations are our best defence against flu and Covid-19 ahead of what could be a very challenging winter. With the potential for this new covid variant to increase the risk of infection, we are following the latest expert guidance and bringing the covid vaccination programme forward, with people able to get their flu vaccine at the same time to maximise protection. The NHS will work quickly to offer people protection against these nasty viruses as soon as possible.”
Who will be eligible for the vaccine?
In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year are:
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, chapter 19 (Influenza))
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
- school-aged children (from Reception to Year 11)
- those in long-stay residential care homes
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants
Those eligible for an autumn Covid vaccine are:
- residents in a care home for older adults
- all adults aged 65 years and over
- persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book, COVID-19 chapter (Green Book)
- frontline health and social care workers
- persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression
- persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults.
What are the symptoms of the new variant?
The newest variant's symptoms are pretty similar to older strains, but here's a rundown of everything that you might experience:
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- cough
- headache
- muscle aches
- sore throat
- fatigue
- fever or chills
- congestion or runny nose
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.