Millions of Brits can now receive a booster Covid jab this autumn as virus hospitalisations continue to rise. Approximately 20 million people in England, including those over 65, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying health conditions, are eligible for the booster. The NHS website, app, or phone line can be used to book a vaccination appointment which also offers a flu jab. The rollout was moved up a month due to concerns about the highly-mutated Pirola Covid variant, which experts fear may lead to a surge in infections and hospitalisations. Recent data shows that the number of infected Brits admitted to hospitals in England is at a four-month high and has doubled in a month’s time.
Health officials have confirmed that only those over 65 will be offered both the flu and Covid vaccines this winter as part of the effort to return to normal. Invitations will not be extended to the millions of individuals aged 50-64 who were previously eligible during the pandemic. This decision comes as Covid hospitalisations in England have reached a four-month high, with 3,287 infected people being admitted in the week ending September 8. This is the highest number since the week ending April 28 (3,485), and almost double the figure from a month ago (1,804).
To mitigate the risk of the new variant, health authorities aim to offer a Covid booster to all eligible individuals by the end of October. The autumn rollout began with care home residents and housebound individuals receiving top-up Covid and flu jabs. This week, hundreds of thousands of people included in the rollout will receive invitations to get vaccinated. In addition to care home residents and housebound individuals, frontline health and social care workers, carers, and individuals aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group will also be eligible. This group includes those with chronic respiratory, heart, kidney, or liver diseases, as well as individuals with diabetes, pregnant women, and those who are morbidly obese. Local NHS services and GP surgeries are contacting people to offer the vaccines.
To ensure accessibility, around 5,000 sites across the country will be administering vaccines. Steve Russell, NHS director for vaccinations and screening, encourages eligible individuals to come forward and get vaccinated to protect themselves against flu and Covid. He emphasizes that vaccines are the best defense against these viruses. It is important for individuals to get a booster dose, even if they have already been vaccinated or previously infected, as immunity diminishes over time. Health Minister Maria Caulfield emphasises the need for the most vulnerable groups to receive flu and Covid vaccines to strengthen their immunity and alleviate pressure on the NHS. An additional £200 million has been invested in the NHS to support it during the busiest period.
The East of England has reported the highest number of Pirola cases due to a significant outbreak in a care home in Norfolk. Pirola has been detected globally in various countries including Denmark, South Africa, the US, and more. Although there is still uncertainty around specific symptoms related to the BA.2.86 variant, its predecessor BA.2 was associated with a runny nose, sore throat, and fatigue. Health experts caution that it is too early to determine the impact of Pirola given its significant number of mutations. However, widespread community transmission has been observed both in the UK and globally. It is crucial for eligible individuals to receive their autumn vaccine to protect themselves against flu and Covid.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
