Individuals have begun getting a new Covid strain that might soon take off and become the prevalent kind, according to experts.
Identified in Germany, in June, instances of the XEC version have subsequently arisen in the UK, US, Denmark and numerous other nations, say users on X, previously known as Twitter.
It contains some new mutations that could help it spread this fall, but immunizations should still help avoid severe cases, doctors say.
For individuals more prone to fall very sick with Covid, the NHS gives a free booster dose.
The vaccinations have been revised to better match newer variations, albeit not XEC, which has developed from previous Omicron subvariants.
Prof Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that while XEC has a "slight transmission advantage" over other recent Covid types, vaccinations should still give substantial protection.
He feels it is feasible XEC will become the dominant subvariant during the winter however.
'Taking control'
Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, in California, Eric Topol thinks 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 look to be the next version.
"But it's months off from getting into high levels."
What are the symptoms of XEC Covid?
Symptoms are assumed to be the same cold or flu-like ones as before:
a high temperature aches tiredness
a cough or sore throat
Most individuals feel better after a few weeks of Covid although it might take longer to recover.
There has been "strong growth" of XEC in Denmark and Germany, Covid data analyst Mike Honey said on X.
There is significantly less systematic testing than previously, making it impossible to estimate how much Covid could be present.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) believes it is natural for viruses to evolve and alter.
People qualified for a free booster immunization include:
people 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 staff
The primary vaccination effort for flu and Covid will commence in October, but some may get their needles sooner.
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 relevant to developing Covid variations in the UK and globally, and to publish our data periodically.
“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.”
Willow Stella
Individuals have begun getting a new Covid strain that might soon take off and become the prevalent kind, according to experts.
Identified in Germany, in June, instances of the XEC version have subsequently arisen in the UK, US, Denmark and numerous other nations, say users on X, previously known as Twitter.
It contains some new mutations that could help it spread this fall, but immunizations should still help avoid severe cases, doctors say.
For individuals more prone to fall very sick with Covid, the NHS gives a free booster dose.
The vaccinations have been revised to better match newer variations, albeit not XEC, which has developed from previous Omicron subvariants.
Prof Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that while XEC has a "slight transmission advantage" over other recent Covid types, vaccinations should still give substantial protection.
He feels it is feasible XEC will become the dominant subvariant during the winter however.
'Taking control'
Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, in California, Eric Topol thinks 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 look to be the next version.
"But it's months off from getting into high levels."
What are the symptoms of XEC Covid?
Symptoms are assumed to be the same cold or flu-like ones as before:
a high temperature aches tiredness
a cough or sore throat
Most individuals feel better after a few weeks of Covid although it might take longer to recover.
There has been "strong growth" of XEC in Denmark and Germany, Covid data analyst Mike Honey said on X.
There is significantly less systematic testing than previously, making it impossible to estimate how much Covid could be present.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) believes it is natural for viruses to evolve and alter.
People qualified for a free booster immunization include:
people 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 staff
The primary vaccination effort for flu and Covid will commence in October, but some may get their needles sooner.
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 relevant to developing Covid variations in the UK and globally, and to publish our data periodically.
“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.”