THERE has been a call for people to get vaccine boosters due to fears over new Covid variants that have been detected in seven people so far in the north.
Two Omicron variants, BA.4 and BA.5 are on the rise globally, it has been warned, and data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has found that as of May 20, there has been six identified cases of BA.5 in the north, and one case of BA.4.
Both variants were first identified in South Africa in January and February, and have recently been classified as 'variants of concern' by the UKHSA.
The organisation's director of clinical and emerging infections, Dr Meera Chand, has said the impact of both variants remains "uncertain" at this stage.
Following their identification, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has said the variants' growth in South Africa was likely due to their ability to evade immune protection provided by prior infection or vaccinations.
Dr Chand said: "The reclassification of these variants as variants of concern reflects emerging evidence on the growth of BA.4 and BA.5 internationally and in the UK.
"Whilst the impact of these variants is uncertain, the variant classification system aims to identify potential risk as early as possible.
"UKHSA is undertaking further detailed studies. Data and analysis will be released in due course through our regular surveillance reporting."
In the Republic, a recent report by chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said two cases of BA.4 had been identified by the week ending May 7.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the threat of emerging Covid variants remains a constant concern, and urged people to get vaccine boosters where possible.
"Covid, in its most recent manifestation in terms of Omicron, proved it could be a disruptor of normal activity and work-life activity because of isolation periods and so forth, whilst it's not been as as virulent as earlier variants," Mr Martin said yesterday.
"The BA.4 seems to have escaped the infection immunity of the vaccines, but I would appeal to people, particularly those who are in the position to get additional vaccines and those who are immunosuppressed or over 65, to please get your vaccines.
"There is no doubt that vaccines prevent serious illness from Covid-19 and that is the evidence."
He added: "We are always concerned about new variants and their potential to disrupt the situation."
Meanwhile, in the most recent Covid infection survey published by Stormont's Department of Health, it was estimated that during the week of May 7 to May 13, around 29,800 people in the north had the virus - around 1.62 per cent of the population.
Concerning Omicron variants, the report states that the BA.2 variant remains the most common Covid type across the UK, responsible for around 96.8 per cent of all infections.
