NHS deadline warning for Covid booster jab as new variant NB.1.8.1 hits UK

Those eligible for the spring Covid-19 vaccine can still get the jab

11:29, 05 Jun 2025

Nurse Sonia Wilson (right) vaccinates eighteen-year-old Cameron Ladd (left) with the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination

Those eligible for Covid-19 booster jabs can get vaccinated before June 17(Image: PA)

A new Covid variant has been detected in the UK more than five years after the initial outbreak of the virus.

The variant, called NB.1.8.1, is one of six SARS-CoV-2 variants currently being monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and has been detected in at least 22 countries, including China, Australia, Thailand, the US, and the UK.

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The NB.1.8.1 variant made up roughly 10.7 per cent of all global infections by late April 2025 – up from just 2.5 per cent four weeks prior, according to the WHO.

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Covid vaccines are expected to remain effective against the new variant NB.1.8.1 and help to protect against severe disease, the WHO says.

What is Covid NB.1.8.1?

The new variant was first recorded on January 21 and the WHO announced that the new strain was "under monitoring" on May 23.

Cases of the NB.1.8.1 variant have been confirmed in Northern Ireland and Wales – and experts say it could become the "dominant" strain next winter.

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Covid vaccines are expected to remain effective against the new varian(Image: PA)

"NB.1.8.1 is one of the most recent SARS-CoV-2 variants in circulation," explains Francois Balloux, Professor of Computational Systems Biology and Director at the UCL Genetics Institute.

"It likely originated through a recombination event between a previous Omicron recombinant called XDE and Omicron JN.1, the direct descendent of BA.2.86 (aka Pirola)," Prof Balloux told the Manchester Evening News.

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The WHO said in a statement that the strain could potentially be more transmissible than previous variants. However, it does not appear to cause worse symptoms or more serious illness.

While the overall health risk remains low, some regions have seen rising infections and hospitalisations where it has been detected.

A WHO report stated: "Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data does not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation."

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Who can get a Covid vaccine?

Those eligible for a Covid jab under the NHS spring booster campaign are able to take up an offer of the vaccine before the programme closes on June 17, 2025.

"COVID-19 can still be very dangerous and even life threatening, particularly for older people and those with a weakened immune system," the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned in March.

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The UKHSA advises those eligible to come forward and book their free NHS Covid vaccination this spring, before the vaccination programme deadline on June 17. The eligibility criteria for the Covid booster includes:

Adults aged 75 years and over
Residents in a care home for older adults
Individuals aged 6 months and over who have a weakened immune system

Those aged 74 who will turn 75 by June 17 do not have to wait until their birthday to get the jab, the UKHSA adds.

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A man receives his Covid-19 vaccination booster jab

Those eligible for Covid-19 booster jabs can get vaccinated before June 17(Image: Getty Images)

After the NHS spring Covid-19 vaccine rollout began in April 1, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s National Medical Director, said: "It is important we remember Covid-19 is just not just a winter illness and even in spring and summer it remains dangerous for those most at risk, such as older adults, care home residents and those who are immunosuppressed."

The UKHSA says the typical length of time to wait between Covid jab doses is around six months, but you can have a booster as soon as three months after a previous dose.

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How to book a Covid-19 booster

The NHS says those eligible for the Covid booster can book an appointment online or in the NHS app, or go to a walk in Covid vaccination site. The UKHSA says to book by calling 119 if you or someone you know can’t get online.

While the groups eligible for a spring booster are the same across the UK, the dates of the campaign are slightly different:

England: April 1 until June 17
Scotland: March 31 until June 30
Wales: April 1 until June 30
Northern Ireland: April 7 until June 30

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A number of chemists and private clinics also offer the Pfizer Covid vaccine to the public, typically costing between £75 and £99 for a single dose, the BBC reports.

Getty generic. Woman measuring her temperature with a digital thermometer

Symptoms of the new Covid strain are similar to earlier variants(Image: Shared Content Unit)

To be eligible for a private Covid booster you must be aged 12 or over and not have had a Covid vaccine in the last three months.

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What are the symptoms of the new Covid variant?

Symptoms of the new strain are believed to be the same as earlier versions of the Covid virus.

The NHS says common symptoms of Covid-19 include:

A high temperature or shivering (chills)
A new, continuous cough
A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Shortness of breath
Feeling tired or exhausted
An aching body or a headache
A sore throat, blocked or runny nose
Loss of appetite, feeling sick or being sick
Diarrhoea