As new variants of coronavirus continue to emerge, the next round of vaccinations has started in a bid to protect the most vulnerable people
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As the new COVID-19 subvariant, BA.2.86, nicknamed Pirola (see page 26), spread across the world, the UK Health Security Agency decided to bring the start of the booster vaccination programme for the most vulnerable people forward to 11 September.
BA.2.86 was first identified in Denmark on 24 July, before turning up in Israel, the UK and the US. At the time of writing in early September, more than 30 cases of Pirola had been detected in England, 28 of which were in a Norfolk care home. But how effective are booster jabs at combatting new variants like this and should we all be getting them?
SHOULD WE ALL BE GETTING A BOOSTER JAB?
For most people, getting a COVID-19 booster is a good idea. But not everyone will be eligible for one in this latest round of vaccinations.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended boosters only for certain people, including the clinically vulnerable, those aged 65 or over, residents in care homes for older adults, frontline health and social care workers, and people who live with or care for certain clinically vulnerable individuals.
Boosters are recommended for such people because they’re at heightened risk of suffering severe illness from COVID-19 infection. Fading protection from previous jabs, coupled with the rapid spread of current variants, such as Eris, and the emergence of new concerning variants, such as Pirola, will likely lead to a spike in infections this autumn.
The COVID-19 booster, just like the seasonal flu vaccine, is very effective at reducing the likelihood of severe infections and hospitalisations, as vaccinations did in previous years.
Most individuals eligible for the COVID-19 jab will also be able to get a flu jab at the same time, providing added protection over the autumn and winter when transmission of such infections is highest.
The current guidance doesn’t mandate boosters for the rest of the population, however, despite the fact that anyone can become seriously ill with COVID-19, and even mild cases can lead to the months-to-years-long, often-severe condition known as long COVID.
Whether you will or won’t be receiving a booster, it’s important to remember that FFP2/3
