Australians urged to get COVID-19 booster due to new strain

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A new, more infectious strain of Covid-19 has been found in Australia. The sub-variant is now dominant in China and Hong Kong and is being monitored by international authorities. Australians are being urged to protect themselves against both covid and influenza.

Transcript

00:00As the weather cools, viruses are on the march, including COVID.

00:07There's a new sub-variant now circulating in Australia.

00:10It's the NB181 strain.

00:12It's already muscled out other variants in parts of Asia.

00:16This new sub-variant does look to be more infectious.

00:19It binds to the receptor the virus uses to get in more readily

00:22and is really effective at evading protection, particularly from past infections.

00:26In early May, Australia's surveillance system had detected 84 cases of the new strain.

00:33It's been found in every state.

00:35It comes as COVID booster rates stall.

00:39I would strongly encourage those over the age of 65 to get their COVID boosters.

00:44I think many people have lost sight of the fact that COVID is still around,

00:47still putting people in hospital.

00:49Unfortunately, people are still not surviving that infection.

00:52While over 65s are most at risk, authorities are urging everyone to talk to their doctor about vaccination.

01:00I would really consider it. I really trust the doctors.

01:03I guess it's always a concern because there always seems to be different strains coming out,

01:06but I don't want to stop living our life just because of it.

01:09The World Health Organisation is monitoring the new sub-variant,

01:13but its overall risk level has been classed as low,

01:17because it doesn't appear to make people sicker than earlier strains.

01:22On the flu front,

01:24Confirmed cases are up on last year, but vaccination is down.

01:29Nationally, just 19% of those eligible for a flu jab have had one,

01:35fewer than in the last three years.

01:38Flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over the age of six months.

01:42Garvin Brown has heeded the call.

01:45I usually try and get one every year now. It just seems to help.

01:49Do it.

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