Who is eligible for another covid jab before the end of 2023?
Following the adult covid and flu winter vaccination programme being brought forward, who is eligible to receive the covid jab this winter?
5 minute readThis month, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that the adult covid and flu winter vaccination programmes had been brought forward due to the possible risks presented by the new BA.2.86 covid variant.
The vaccination programme was due to start in October but was brought forward to start from 11 September, in a bid to reduce the risk of a surge in cases this winter.
What’s the latest with covid?
Fortunately, the days of lockdowns, curfews, and face masks appear to be long behind us, and for many, the early days of the pandemic may already feel like a distant memory. However, covid is still very much around, and the new variant, BA.2.86, has been singled out for monitoring as a potential cause for concern.
What is the new covid variant?
All viruses change or mutate over time, and these changes are known as variants. These mutations may make a virus more or less contagious, affect how severe it is, and have an impact on whether treatment is effective.
The new covid variant known as BA.2.86, and dubbed “Pirola,” was first identified in Denmark in late July 2023. By mid-September, there had been 137 confirmed cases across 15 countries, including Australia, Canada, Israel, the UK, and the US.
The BA.2.86 variant is being closely monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as it contains a larger than usual number of mutations. These mutations could make it harder for our immune systems to recognise the virus and respond quickly.
At the moment, there is no evidence that the BA.2.86 variant causes more severe illness or is less treatable than previous covid variants.
How many cases of the BA.2.86 variant have there been in the UK?
As of 18 September this year, there have been 54 confirmed cases of covid variant BA.2.86 in the UK.
48 cases were in England, 30 of which were part of an outbreak at a care home in Norfolk. 6 cases occurred in Scotland. To date, no cases of the new variant have been identified in Northern Ireland or Wales.
Of the diagnosed cases of BA.2.86, 10 needed hospital treatment. There have been no recorded deaths due to the new variant.
What are the symptoms of the new variant?
So far, no changes in symptoms have been noted in the BA.2.86 strain when compared to previous variants. Symptoms may vary from person to person and may include:
Runny, or blocked nose
Low energy and fatigue
Sneezing
Fever or chills
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Muscle aches
New loss of taste or smell
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea
Nausea or vomiting
Is a seasonal spike in cases expected this winter?
The number of respiratory infections such as flu and covid generally increases over the winter months, as people spend more time indoors and in close contact with others. Currently, not enough is known about the new variant to say for sure whether a higher than usual spike in cases is expected.
However, as a precautionary measure, people are being urged to follow the latest government guidance, and to come forward for their vaccination when called.
So, who is eligible for a covid jab this winter?
The NHS began the vaccination programme on 18 September, with those at highest risk being vaccinated first.
The first to receive their vaccines will be residents of older adult care homes and people with weakened immune systems.
Carers, pregnant women, healthcare workers, and people over 65 will also be eligible for the vaccine.
Are people being offered a seasonal flu jab and a covid jab?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommends that people in high-risk groups be offered flu and covid vaccines this winter.
By rolling out the winter flu and covid vaccination programmes early, the NHS aims to provide maximum protection for at-risk patients and their families throughout the winter, reducing the risk of serious illness and cutting hospitalisations.
People eligible to receive flu and covid vaccines include:
Residents in care homes for older adults
Adults aged 65 years and over
Pregnant women
People aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in the Immunisation Green Book
Frontline health and social care workers (will be invited for the vaccine through their employer)
People aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Immunisation Green Book) of people with suppressed immune systems
People aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Immunisation Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults
If you are eligible for a covid vaccine, you will receive an invitation from your local healthcare provider. You will then be able to book an appointment on the NHS’s National Booking Service.
You can also arrange a vaccine through your local GP surgery and from pharmacies.
Who is eligible for the flu vaccine?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation states that those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
People aged 65 years and over
People aged 6 months to 65 years in high-risk groups (as defined by the Immunisation Green Book)
Pregnant women
Children who are aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
School-aged children
People in long-term residential care homes
Carers that receive carer’s allowance or are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
Close contacts of those with weakened immune systems
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
Vaccinations for children
The vaccination programme for children remains unchanged and the flu vaccine will be offered in schools from early October.
Vaccinating children against flu helps to prevent serious illness and hospitalisation in children, as well as lowering the risk of spreading the virus to the wider population.
Conclusion
Though it is being monitored closely, the new BA.2.86 variant has yet to give scientists any real cause for concern.
The variant has so far only affected a few people worldwide and doesn’t appear to be any more serious or difficult to treat than other covid strains. However, as a new variant, not enough is known about BA.2.86, and precautions need to be taken to prevent a potential increase in covid cases over the winter months.
If you are eligible for a vaccine, wait for your invite and book your appointment as soon as possible. Being vaccinated early is the most effective way to protect yourself and others, allowing you to remain healthy and active this winter, as well as reducing strain on the NHS.
