Covid booster warning as Covid NB.1.8.1 cases on the rise
The message comes after health experts also warned of a new COVID-19 variant, with cases of the strain are on the rise around the world.
Covid NB.1.8.1 is a variation of the XDV.1.5.1 strain and was first detected back in January 2025.
Ifti Khan, superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, urged those eligible to book as soon as possible and get the booster while it is still available.
He said: 'Covid will most likely rise coming into the end of spring and into summer as people mix with friends and family more often.
'We know from previous boosters that they are effective in making sure that patients' symptoms are not as severe as they might have been without so I would urge patients to pop into their local Well Pharmacy store and get their jab.
'Patients have just over two weeks as the spring booster programme ends on June 17 so it would be my hope that those who can get a jab, opt to do so before enjoying socialising during summer.'
Mr Khan warned that at this time of year, some people may believe they have hay fever as early symptoms of Covid include a runny or blocked nose or a sore throat.
Covid tests can be obtained at any Well Pharmacy.
The WHO has placed the Covid NB.1.8.1 "under monitoring" due to the rise in cases worldwide.
It is one of six COVID-19 variants currently being monitored.
The new 'Strategic and operational plan for coronavirus disease threat management: at a glance' sets out the global framework for supporting Member States in the sustained, integrated, evidence-based management of coronavirus disease threats, including #COVID19, MERS, and… pic.twitter.com/c0iegiwKcO
However, the WHO stated that the risk posed by the new variant was "low," and that approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be effective against it.
The world health experts, in a recent risk evaluation, said: "Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation.
The WHO added: "The available evidence on NB.1.8.1 does not suggest additional public health risks relative to the other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages."
COVID NB.1.8.1 has already been detected in 22 countries.
These include the likes of Australia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and the US, according to The Independent.
The coming COVID-19 Winter Surge in Australia will show the world where we are actually headed for..what is happening in South-Eats Asia and East Asia are just the 'preludes'...watch how NB.1.8.1 spawns are evolving including PQ.1, PQ.2 and even sub-lineages like PE.1.
Cases of the NB.1.8.1 variant have also been confirmed in Northern Ireland, Wales, and "popular British tourist hotspots", the news outlet added.
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