This 12 months’s autumn flu and COVID-19 vaccine programs will start sooner than planned in England as a precautionary measure following the identification of a latest COVID-19 variant.
The precautionary measure is being taken as scientists from UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) examine the variant BA.2.86, which was first detected within the UK on Friday 18 August.
In accordance with the most recent risk assessment by the UKHSA, BA.2.86 has a high variety of mutations and has appeared in several countries in individuals without travel history.
While BA.2.86 shouldn’t be currently classified as a variant of concern, advice from the UKHSA suggests that speeding up the autumn vaccine program will deliver greater protection, supporting those at biggest risk of severe illness and reducing the potential impact on the NHS.
The choice means those most in danger from winter illness – including people in care homes for older people, the clinically vulnerable, those aged 65 and over, health and social care staff and carers – will have the opportunity to access a Covid vaccine in September.
The annual flu vaccine will even be made available to those groups at the identical time wherever possible, to make sure they’re protected ahead of winter.
Vaccinations at the moment are set to start out on 11 September, with adult care home residents and people most in danger to receive vaccines first. NHS England will announce full details of the accelerated roll-out soon, and people who fall into higher-risk groups are being encouraged to take up the jab as soon as they’re invited.
There isn’t a change to the broader public health advice presently.
Health Minister, Minister Caulfield said:
As our world-leading scientists gather more information on the BA.2.86 variant, it is smart to bring forward the vaccination programme.
It is completely vital essentially the most vulnerable groups receive a vaccine to strengthen their immunity over winter to guard themselves and reduce pressure on the NHS.
I encourage anyone invited for a vaccination – including those yet to have their first jab – to come back forward as soon as possible.”
Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, Dame Jenny Harries said:
As we proceed to live with Covid-19 we expect to see latest variants emerge.
Because of the success of our vaccine programme, we have now built strong, broad immune defences against latest variants throughout the population. Nonetheless, 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 restricted 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 – each within the UK and internationally – we’ll proceed to watch BA.2.86 and to advise government and the general public as we learn more. Within the meantime, please come forward for the vaccine when you find yourself called.”
For operational expediency and in keeping with public health recommendations, wherever possible flu and COVID-19 vaccines needs to be administered at the identical time.
The vaccination campaign was previously as a result of start in early October. It’s because one of the best protection is frequently provided by getting vaccinated with as short a spot as possible before exposure to circulating influenza and COVID-19 viruses.
The recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for this autumn, is to supply the vaccine to those at high risk of significant disease from Covid-19 and who’re due to this fact most definitely to learn from vaccination.
Those eligible for vaccination are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccine as soon as they’re called to make sure they head into winter with one of the best protection.