Covid vaccine programme will start earlier amid warnings of new variant

The Covid and flu vaccine programme has been brought forward this autumn due to warnings of a new variant.

The new variant which causes Covid was first detected in the UK on August 18.

The variant, known as BA.2.86, represents the most concerning new variant since Omicron first emerged according to NHS officials.

While it is not classified as a ‘variant of concern’, scientists say it carries a high number of mutations.

The vaccine programme which was due to start in October will now start on September 11, following advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to the Department for Health and Social Care.

It advised speeding up the autumn programme would deliver greater protection, particularly for those at greatest risk of severe illness which will reduce any potential impact on the NHS.

Dame Jenny Harries, UKHSA chief executive, said: ‘As we continue to live with Covid-19, we expect to see new variants emerge.

‘Thanks to the success of our vaccine programme, we have built strong, broad immune defences against new variants throughout the population. However, some people remain more vulnerable to severe illness from Covid-19.’

Dame Jenny added the potential impact of BA.2.86 was ‘difficult to estimate’ due to ‘limited information’ being available.

‘As with all emergent and circulating Covid-19 variants – both in the UK and internationally – we will continue to monitor BA.2.86 and to advise government and the public as we learn more,’ she said.

The NHS said it will work quickly ‘to ensure as many eligible people as possible are vaccinated by the end of October’.

People have been urged to take up the offer of the vaccines as soon as they are invited to come forward.

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