New Covid strains 'hitting earlier in year'

The older age category for Covid booster jabs has risen from 65 to 75

New strains of Covid appear to be affecting people earlier in the year, according to a health boss.

Darryn Allcorn, chief nurse at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said there was no evidence the two latest strains - Nimbus and Stratus - were more severe than others.

But he added: "What we're definitely seeing at the moment is an earlier occurrence of Covid this year which is causing some challenges across the system."

The criteria for free Covid boosters have been tightened this year so only those aged 75 and older are being offered free boosters, along with younger patients who have a weakened immune system.

Perranporth resident Pam Stansfield said she had previously always received a jab and expected to get another this winter.

When the 73-year-old went to get the jab alongside a flu vaccine, she was disappointed to find out she was not eligible anymore.

"I've had Covid and it is a miserable experience, especially when you're on your own - you just feel lousy," she told BBC Radio Cornwall.

Between a third and a half of people who turn up for their appointment are having to be turned away at many sites, according to Community Pharmacy England, which represents more than 10,000 chemists including many major chains.

It has described the situation as "unacceptable" with reports of angry, frustrated patients and abuse aimed at staff.

University of Exeter's Prof David Strain said health experts did not expect the same level of severe illness from new Covid strains

Prof David Strain, from the University of Exeter's Medical School, said it had been decided to not widen the jab rollout because the new strains were not anticipated to be as bad as others.

"The reason we're not vaccinating more groups is because the role of the vaccine is to stop spread and severe illness," he said.

"This year, we're not expecting the severe illness, so we don't need to be giving the vaccine to everybody."

Dr Ruth Goldstein, assistant director of public health at Cornwall Council, urged people to make sure they got a Covid jab if eligible, but could understand why some might be frustrated about the changes.

"We tell people about when they're eligible, but I don't think we necessarily put the focus on 'you used to be eligible, but now you're not'," she said.

"Maybe that is a learn for us, to be honest, and I think it is a shame people are feeling disappointed."