Pharmacist urges UK public to get Covid booster as new US-origin strain spreads
A Well Pharmacy deputy superintendent warns that the US-derived XFG Covid variant is driving a surge in cases, hospitalisations and deaths in England, and urges eligible people to receive the booster.
Hospital admissions in England have jumped from 950 in August to 4,939 in September as the XFG Covid variant, dubbed “American Covid,” spreads after outbreaks in the United States. The latest UKHSA figures record a 34.6% weekly increase in cases and 28 deaths in England, up nine from the previous week, with the variant accounting for almost half of sequenced infections. Wendy Lee, deputy superintendent at Well Pharmacy, urges anyone eligible - people aged 75 and over, care-home residents and those immunosuppressed - to take up the free NHS booster, and recommends that all Britons consider vaccination to reduce the risk of serious disease.
She notes that while the jab does not guarantee infection avoidance, it provides a crucial layer of protection against hospitalisation. The pharmacy also offers a private booster service for those who do not qualify for the NHS program, costing from £90. With colder months approaching and respiratory viruses circulating more readily, Lee stresses the importance of staying up-to-date with vaccinations to protect vulnerable populations.
Why it matters
The rising XFG variant threatens public health, and increased vaccination can curb severe cases and hospital strain.
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