Month: November 2021

How worried should we be about the omicron variant?

How worried should we be about the omicron variant?

When any new variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 is identified, we don’t at first know how infectious it will be; whether it will cause a more serious illness than other variants; and how well vaccines will work against it. We therefore need to be cautious and take measures to control the spread of Omicron until this information becomes available. We shouldn’t however become unduly anxious.

I’ve heard that the variant causes more mild symptoms. Is that true and if so why are we worried?

Some early reports from South Africa suggest that Omicron may cause a milder illness than other variants. However, we will need data from many more people infected with the Omicron variant – particularly, older and clinically vulnerable people – before we can reach reliable conclusions about the severity of the illness it causes.

Why are they giving more booster jabs if the new variant can evade existing vaccines?

Two doses of current vaccines provide good protection – and three doses provides event better protection – against the other strains of coronavirus. At present, we have no evidence that the Omicron variant can evade existing vaccines. We need to continue with the booster programme as this has been very effective in keeping down the number of serious infections that can result in hospital admission or death.

Does the new variant transmit any differently?

We don’t yet have good data on whether Omicron can infect people more easily than other variants. This data will gradually emerge in the coming weeks.

Does it mean existing Covid treatments like the new antiviral treatments won’t work either?

It is possible that some of the newer antiviral treatments won’t work as well against Omicron as against other variants. However, this will need to be confirmed in research studies. It’s very likely however that antiviral treatments will still reduce the severity of illness caused by Omicron.

What don’t we know about omicron and when will we know?

We currently lack important information about Omicron – such as how infectious it is; whether it causes a more severe illness than other variants; how well vaccines protect against it; and whether antiviral drugs will be helpful in reducing the severity of illness it causes. Research is already underway to answer these questions.

How likely is it to affect Christmas and how?

We currently have a high Covid-19 infection rate in the UK. Fortunately, vaccines are keeping down the number of people with a more severe illness, which in turn is keeping the number of hospital admissions and deaths low. If we can get a high uptake of boosters in adults, we should be able to have a more normal Christmas this year. But everyone should continue with good infection control measures and not rely just on vaccination. People who are not vaccinated at all (around 11% of people aged 12 and over in the UK) should also come forwards for vaccination.

Will wearing masks really stop it?

Masks can reduce the spread of infection – particularly if a higher specification FFP2 mask is worn. When combined with other infection control measures such as vaccination and home working, masks can help reduce the spread of infection.

Will bringing forward boosters mean they’re not as efficient?

Brining forward the booster to three months instead of six months after people’s second vaccination won’t reduce its effectiveness in preventing serious illness. The booster dose substantially increases people’s immunity and this can help stop the Omicron variant evading our current vaccines.

What will happen in schools?

Many schools in England have had large Covid-19 outbreaks since September when the new school year started. It’s important that 12-15 year old children are vaccinated and also get a second vaccination once the government has approved this. People working in schools also need to be fully vaccinated with three doses (four doses for people with weak immune systems). Any child who is unwell with symptoms of a possible Covid-19 infection should get a PCR test and isolate until the result is back. Improving ventilation and air quality in schools is also essential to reduce the risk of infection.

Could there be more travel bans?

If the Omicron variant spreads further, then more countries may be placed on the government’s Red List. This can happen with very little notice, leaving travellers with the option of either cutting short their trip and returning quickly to the UK; or facing an expensive stay in a quarantine hotel. Everyone should consider this if they are planning an overseas trip in the next few weeks.

A version of this article was first published in the Daily Mirror.

 

The JCVI is recommending booster Covid-19 vaccines for all adults – why is this essential for the UK’s pandemic response?

The NHS is now rolling out booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines. Today, the JCVI recommended that all adults in the UK should receive a booster. Why do we need these boosters?

The number of Covid-19 cases in the UK is currently around 40,000 per day. This is amongst the highest rate of infection of any country in the world and higher than many of our Western European neighbours. Vaccines are protecting us and without them, we would be seeing many more people who are seriously ill. However, some of these infections will still lead to a serious illness and death, even in people who have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine as no vaccine is 100% effective.

We know that the protection provided by Covid-19 vaccines can weaken over time – particularly in the elderly or in those people with weak immune systems. Research from the UK and elsewhere shows that a booster (third) dose of a vaccine improves your immunity to Covid-19 and reduces your risk of a serious illness that may lead to hospitalisation or death. Some people with medical conditions or who are taking drugs that weaken their immune system will need four doses of vaccine to give them maximum protection.

The rollout of the NHS booster programme has been slower than we would have liked. We want as many people as possible to receive boosters before the onset of winter when pressures on the NHS increase. Because most Covid-19 restrictions in England ended in July, many people may think the pandemic is largely over and so do not think they need another vaccination. Some people may also lack confidence in vaccines or be concerned about side effects. Others may be struggling to get an appointment at a vaccine clinic that is convenient for them to attend.

To help people get their booster vaccines, the NHS needs to make it as easy as possible for people to book and attend their appointments. The NHS can do this by ensuring there are local sites offering boosters so that people don’t have to travel far to get one. The sites also need to have convenient opening hours (such as being open in the evenings and at weekends) that allow people who are working to attend easily. There also needs to be sufficient capacity in the vaccination programme to allow as many people as possible to be vaccinated before Christmas.

It’s also important for the NHS to explain clearly why we need boosters, and remind people about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. We now have data from many millions of people across the world to show how well Covid-19 vaccines work and how safe they are. The UK has led the world on much of this research thanks to the data collected by our NHS.

The people being targeted for boosters are those at highest risk of serious illness and death from a Covid-19 infection. This includes people aged 40 and over, and people under 50 with medical conditions that put them at higher risk. NHS staff, people who live and work in care homes, and people who are the main carer of someone at high-risk are also being invited for boosters. The NHS will now be extending the booster programme to all adults based on the advice issued today by the JCVI.

If people don’t attend for their boosters, they will increase their risk of catching Covid-19 and having a more serious illness. This will lead to more cases of Covid-19 and increased pressures on the NHS during the winter. The number of deaths from Covid-19 will also increase.

This then may require the government to bring back some Covid-19 restrictions; and if the situation gets very bad, it may require a further infection control measures. This is something we want to avoid because of all the problems that lockdowns cause. We all want a more normal way of life and don’t wish to see a repeat of last year when Christmas gatherings were not possible because of the Covid-19 rules that were in place at the time.

The good news is that our vaccines continue to work well against new virus variants when people are fully vaccinated. If, however, people are not fully protected by vaccination, new variants like Omicron may spread further and eventually lead to other variants arising against which current vaccines are less effective.

Covid-19 vaccines are safe and very effective. By getting a booster, you are protecting yourself and the other people you live and work with. You are also reducing the need for the government to introduce new Covid-19 restrictions this winter. So please go out and get your booster vaccine as soon as you can.

A version of this article was first published in The Sun.

Covid-19 vaccine boosters: Why they are important

The NHS is now rolling out booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines. Why do we need these boosters and who can receive them?

The number of Covid-19 cases in the UK is around 40,000 per day. This is amongst the highest rate of infection of any country in the world and higher than all our Western European neighbours. Vaccines are protecting us and without them, we would be seeing many more people who are seriously ill. However, some of these infections will still lead to a serious illness and death, even in people who have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine as no vaccine is 100% effective.

We know that the protection provided by Covid-19 vaccines can weaken over time – particularly in the elderly or in those people with weak immune systems. Research from other countries shows that a booster (third) dose of a vaccine improves your immunity to Covid-19 and reduces your risk of a serious illness that may lead to hospitalisation or death. Some people with medical conditions or who are taking drugs that weaken their immune system will need four doses of vaccine to give them maximum protection.

The rollout of the NHS booster programme has been slower than we would have liked. We want as many people as possible to receive boosters before the onset of winter when pressures on the NHS increase. Because most Covid-19 restrictions in England ended in July, many people may think the pandemic is largely over and so do not think they need another vaccination. Some people may also lack confidence in vaccines or be concerned about side effects. Others may be struggling to get an appointment at a vaccine clinic that is convenient for them to attend.

To help people get their booster vaccines, the NHS needs to make it as easy as possible for people to book and attend their appointments. The NHS can do this by ensuring there are local sites offering boosters so that people don’t have to travel far to get one. The sites also need to have convenient opening hours (such as being open in the evenings and at weekends) that allow people who are working to attend easily.

It’s also important for the NHS to explain clearly why we need boosters, and remind people about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. We now have data from many millions of people across the world to show how well Covid-19 vaccines work and how safe they are. The UK has led the world on much of this research thanks to the data collected by our NHS.

The people being targeted for boosters are those at highest risk of serious illness and death from a Covid-19 infection. This includes people aged 50 and over, and people under 50 with medical conditions that put them at higher risk. NHS staff, people who live and work in care homes, and people who are the main carer of someone at high-risk are also being invited for boosters.

If people don’t attend for their boosters, they will increase their risk of catching Covid-19 and having a more serious illness. This will lead to more cases of Covid-19 and increased pressures on the NHS during the winter. The number of deaths from Covid-19 will also increase.

This then may require the government to bring back some Covid-19 restrictions; and if the situation gets very bad, it may require a further lockdown. This is something we want to avoid because of all the problems that lockdowns cause. We all want a more normal way of life and don’t wish to see a repeat of last year when Christmas gatherings were not possible because of the Covid-19 rules that were in place at the time.

A high take-up of boosters will also reduce the chances of new virus mutations from developing. This year, we have seen the rapid spread of the delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus across the world, including in the UK. Recently, a new version of the delta variant, the AY.4.2 subvariant, has been detected in the UK. This variant is causing concern because it may be more infectious than the original delta variant.

The good news is that our vaccines continue to work well against new virus variants when people are fully vaccinated. If, however, people are not fully protected by vaccination, new variants like AY.4.2 may spread and eventually lead to other variants arising against which current vaccines are less effective.

Covid-19 vaccines are safe and very effective. By getting a booster, you are protecting yourself and the other people you live and work with. You are also reducing the need for the government to introduce new Covid-19 restrictions this winter. So please go out and get your booster vaccine as soon as you can.

A version of this article was first published in The Sun.

On 15 November 2021, the JCVI announced that people aged 40-49 would also be eligible for booster doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Why you should get your Covid-19 booster and flu vaccine

The NHS is now rolling out booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines and flu jabs.

The number of Covid-19 cases in the UK remains very high. Vaccines are protecting us and without them, we would be seeing many more people who are seriously ill.

However, no vaccine is 100% effective. Some Covid-19 infections will still lead to a serious illness, even in people who have received two doses of vaccine. Flu will also be a threat this winter.

We know that the protection provided by Covid-19 vaccines can weaken over time – particularly in the elderly or in people with medical problems. A booster (third) dose of a vaccine improves your immunity and reduces your risk of a serious illness.

We want as many people as possible to receive Covid-19 boosters and flu jabs before the onset of winter when pressures on the NHS increase.

The people being targeted for boosters are those at highest risk of serious illness and death from a Covid-19 infection. This includes people aged 50 and over, and people under 50 with certain medical conditions. NHS staff, people who live and work in care homes, and people who are the main carer of someone at high-risk are also being invited for boosters. These groups are also eligible for a flu jab.

If people don’t attend for their vaccinations this will lead to more cases of Covid-19 and flu, and increased pressures on the NHS during the winter. The number of deaths will also increase. This then may require the government to bring back some Covid-19 restrictions.

By getting a Covid-19 booster and a flu jab, you are protecting yourself and the other people you live and work with. So please go out and get your vaccinations as soon as you can.

A version of this article was first published in the Daily Express.