 quickly brought forward its vaccination programme, seeing as there has been an outbreak in a Norfolk care home, that saw all 28 cases confirmed to be BA.2.86 Covid-19 booster vaccination roll-out for this year has started earlier following an increase in virus cases. Previously boosters were offered to all people over 50. and this year they are offered to all adults aged over 65. People are able to book their booster jabs through the NHS website in England. The push from the government comes amidst warnings of a new variant called Covid BA.2.86 or Pirola. It is thought this new strain carries a high number of mutations in its spike protein, meaning that it has the ability to evade the immune system and thus create a risk of mass 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 28 cases confirmed to be BA.2.86. As well as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all brought forward their booster rollouts. Currently, there are four vaccines available across the UK, which include, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Sanofi/GSK and Novavax. Those who've had a positive test should wait up to four weeks before taking the vaccine. People eligible for the booster jab: Care home residents All adults aged 65 and older 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-19 infection continues to be associate){kind=link}
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 28 cases confirmed to be BA.2.86
Covid-19 booster vaccination roll-out for this year has started earlier following an increase in virus cases.
Previously boosters were offered to all people over 50. and this year they are offered to all adults aged over 65. People are able to book their booster jabs through the NHS website in England.
The push from the government comes amidst warnings of a new variant called Covid BA.2.86 or Pirola. It is thought this new strain carries a high number of mutations in its spike protein, meaning that it has the ability to evade the immune system and thus create a risk of mass 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 28 cases confirmed to be BA.2.86.