SWMBO went to the local shop earlier and its closed all staff have covid so it wont be open for a while, i thought that has to be BS so checked and here we go again -
It says below you only qualify for the vaccine if you are 65+ so i guess you have to pay if you are under that age, I had all the vaccines and boosters and caught it once i didn't even know i had it until i did a test because my son had it i don't think i will bother this time i will not pay for it.
Identified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say users on X,, external formerly known as Twitter.
It has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, although vaccines should still help prevent severe cases, experts say.
For those more likely to become seriously ill from Covid, the NHS offers a free booster shot.
The vaccines have been updated to better match recent variants, although not XEC, which has emerged from earlier Omicron subvariants.
Prof Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that although XEC has a "slight transmission advantage" over other recent Covid variants, vaccines should still offer good protection.
He says it is possible XEC will become the dominant subvariant over the winter though.
"And that's going to take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave," he told the LA Times.
"XEC is definitely taking charge.
"That does appear to be the next variant.
"But it's months off from getting into high levels."
There has been "strong growth" of XEC in Denmark and Germany, Covid data analyst Mike Honey says on X, external.
There is far less routine testing than before, making it difficult to know how much Covid might be around.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is normal for viruses to mutate and change.
People qualifying for a free booster vaccine include:
People who have a weakened immune system are also eligible for the vaccine, although there is a criteria, some of which can be seen here:
The main vaccination drive for flu and Covid, external will start in October, although some may receive their shots earlier.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: “It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time. UKHSA continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging Covid variants in the UK and internationally, and to publish our data regularly.
“Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19, and we urge those who are contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine.”
BBC News.
It says below you only qualify for the vaccine if you are 65+ so i guess you have to pay if you are under that age, I had all the vaccines and boosters and caught it once i didn't even know i had it until i did a test because my son had it i don't think i will bother this time i will not pay for it.
New XEC Covid variant starting to spread
People have started catching a new Covid variant that could soon take off and become the dominant type, according to scientists.Identified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say users on X,, external formerly known as Twitter.
It has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, although vaccines should still help prevent severe cases, experts say.
For those more likely to become seriously ill from Covid, the NHS offers a free booster shot.
The vaccines have been updated to better match recent variants, although not XEC, which has emerged from earlier Omicron subvariants.
Prof Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that although XEC has a "slight transmission advantage" over other recent Covid variants, vaccines should still offer good protection.
He says it is possible XEC will become the dominant subvariant over the winter though.
'Taking charge'
Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, in California, Eric Topol says XEC is "just getting started"."And that's going to take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave," he told the LA Times.
"XEC is definitely taking charge.
"That does appear to be the next variant.
"But it's months off from getting into high levels."
What are the symptoms of XEC Covid?
Symptoms are thought to be the same cold or flu-like ones as before:- a high temperature
- aches
- tiredness
- a cough or sore throat
There has been "strong growth" of XEC in Denmark and Germany, Covid data analyst Mike Honey says on X, external.
There is far less routine testing than before, making it difficult to know how much Covid might be around.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is normal for viruses to mutate and change.
People qualifying for a free booster vaccine include:
- adults aged 65 years and over
- those living in a care home for older adults
- those over the age of six months in a clinical risk group
- some front-line NHS, care-home and social-care workers
People who have a weakened immune system are also eligible for the vaccine, although there is a criteria, some of which can be seen here:
- Organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant patients
- Those being treated with systemic steroids for more than a month
- Those living with HIV
- Those receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy, including children who are about to receive therapy
- Those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- Those who require long-term treatment for immunosuppression
- Those with a history of haematological malignancy including chronic leukaemia, lymphomas, and leukaemia
- Those with genetic disorders affecting the immune system
The main vaccination drive for flu and Covid, external will start in October, although some may receive their shots earlier.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: “It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time. UKHSA continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging Covid variants in the UK and internationally, and to publish our data regularly.
“Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19, and we urge those who are contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine.”
BBC News.
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