In light of growing concerns over a heavily mutated new Covid variant, England’s National Health Service (NHS) is expediting the distribution of Covid and flu booster shots for residents in care homes for older adults. The acceleration of this rollout primarily focuses on protecting those most susceptible to the potential threats posed by the BA.2.86 variant.
Having identified 34 confirmed cases of this variant, the urgency behind the rollout gains specificity, given the 28 cases attributed to a single care home in Norfolk. Although it’s too early to determine if this variant is more severe than its predecessors, the NHS is taking a cautious approach.
The first recipients will include people in adult care homes, quickly followed by those who are housebound, then other eligible groups. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have similarly moved their booster programs forward to early September.
Booster shots eligibility extends to residents in care homes for older adults, adults aged 65 years and older, those aged six months to 64 years with clinical risk factors, frontline health and social care workers, household contacts of immunocompromised individuals aged 12 to 64, carers, and care home staff working with older adults.
These measures signify a shift from last year’s strategy when all over-50s were offered an additional shot. This year, only those above the age of 65 will be automatically included based on the government’s vaccine advisory.
The NHS will inform those eligible for boosters. Beginning September 18, individuals in England can schedule their appointments via the NHS website, the NHS app, or by phone. Several Covid vaccines updated to counter recent variants are currently in use, including Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Sanofi/GSK.
Boosters have proven effective in elevating protection against serious illness resulting from Covid-19. Despite differences in brands, all vaccines offer protection against severe illness or death. Although no vaccine guarantees complete efficacy, individuals vaccinated are likely to experience less severe illnesses if they contract the virus.
Free flu vaccines are also being rolled out for specific demographics including adults aged 65 and older, individuals in clinical risk groups aged six months to under 65, pregnant women, school-aged children, long-stay residential care homes residents, carers, close contacts of immunocompromised individuals, and frontline care workers.
Regarding the administration of Covid and flu vaccines, it’s considered safe to receive both shots during the same visit.
The chief medical advisor at the UK Health Security Agency echoed the importance of these protective measures in response to the possible increased vulnerability to the new variant. Emphasizing a “highly precautionary approach”, she stressed the importance of boosting the immunity of those at greatest risk of severe infection.
The novel BA.2.86 is an Omicron offshoot observed in various countries globally. Although comprehensive data to confidently assess this variant’s influence may take some time, widespread community transmission is evident. This has precipitated a call for all eligible individuals to receive their autumn vaccines promptly.
Symptoms associated with this variant remain uncertain, as do any potential differences from earlier Covid-19 versions. However, the extensive mutations suggest its evolution may be akin to the progression from the Delta to the Omicron variant.
Additionally, considering the drastic cutback in Covid testing, discerning the precise number of infected individuals in the UK is challenging. Current measures advise individuals who suspect they may have contracted the virus to self-isolate and avoid contact with others. Hospitals continue to test, and the rising number of Covid cases suggests prevalence in the wider community.
