Two new subvariants of coronavirus are driving a surge in infection rates and hospitalisations across the globe. Health experts identified the strains - known as BA.5 and BA.4 - in Botswana and South Africa in March, and cases have quickly spread across Europe, the United States and Australia.
In the wake of the surge in infection rates, health experts are urging people to ensure that they are up to date with their vaccinations and boosters. Everyone over the age of five can have the first two shots, with those aged 16 and over will be eligible for a booster shot. Those aged 75 and over, those who live in care homes, and people aged 12 and over who have a weakened immune system, will be offered a spring booster.
The NHS advises that anyone who has yet to receive their full vaccine programme does so as soon as possible. You can book an appointment online here, visit a walk-in vaccination centre or contact your GP surgery. If you cannot book appointments online, you can call 119 free of charge. You can speak to a translator if you need to.
What are BA.4 and BA.5?
Ever since it first emerged, the coronavirus has been shifting and mutating. These mutations are known as variants. So far, we have seen a number of different variants causing new waves of infection across the UK, including alpha and delta.
So far there is no indication that BA.4 or BA.5 are associated with new symptoms or more severe disease but their spike protein genes are identical. According to Gavi, the international vaccine alliance, the spike protein is important because this is what the virus uses to infect human cells, and therefore determines how easily the virus is transmitted.
How fast are they spreading?
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), released on July 8, show that Covid infections are up around 18% week on week. The Covid-19 infection survey for the week ending June 30 shows that an estimated one in 20 people in Wales would test positive, up from one in 30 the week before. In England, the figure is now one in 25 people, in Scotland, one in 17 people and in Northern Ireland one in 19 people.
Thanks to their ability to spread quickly, the BA.4 and BA.5 variants have become the dominant strains. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States announced that BA.5 currently makes up 54% of new cases, with its sister subvariant, BA.4, accounting for about 16% of recent infections. Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that omicron BA.4 and BA.5 now make up more than half of new Covid-19 cases in England, accounting for approximately 22% and 39% of cases, respectively.
What are the symptoms?
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control labelled BA.4 and BA.5 as " variants of concern " in mid-May. Yet there has been nothing to suggest there are new symptoms to look out for. According to the UKHSA, there is "currently no evidence" that the two variants cause more serious illness than previous variants.
Even if you have been fully vaccinated, you can still experience any or all symptoms of Covid, including the new omicron variants. Symptoms include:
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Sneezing
- Pain
Lawrence Young, a virologist and professor of molecular oncology at the University of Warwick, told The BMJ : “This significant rise in infections is worrying and demonstrates that there’s no room for complacency as far as Covid is concerned. It’s a wake-up call about our vulnerability to new variants.
“We need to prepare now for the autumn and winter months when colder weather will drive people indoors, increasing the risk of infection not only with new covid variants but also with other respiratory virus infections. Waning immunity means that booster shots will be necessary in autumn to protect the elderly, clinically vulnerable, and patient-facing healthcare workers.”
Do I need new vaccinations?
Currently, the vaccinations on offer across the UK are suitable for building up immunity against Covid variations. Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor at UKHSA said: "As prevalence increases, it’s more important than ever that we all remain alert, take precautions, and ensure that we’re up to date with Covid-19 vaccinations, which remain our best form of defence against the virus. It’s not too late to catch up if you’ve missed boosters, or even first doses so please take your recommended vaccines.
"Our data also shows that 17.5% of people aged 75 years and over have not had a vaccine within the past six months, putting them more at risk of severe disease. We urge these people, in particular, to get up-to-date," she added.
Professor Hopkins added: "If you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection, a high temperature or feel unwell, try to stay at home or away from others – especially those who are elderly or vulnerable. Face coverings in crowded indoor spaces and hand washing will help to reduce the transmission of infection and are especially important if you have any respiratory symptoms."
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