NHS issues an urgent call for Covid boosters

HEALTH bosses in Greater Manchester have issued an urgent reminder to those eligible for a Covid booster jab as a new variant spreads in the UK.

- BY BETHAN FINIGHAN

Called NB.1.8.1, the new ‘Nimbus’ 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 World Health Organisation (WHO).

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on Thursday, June 5, that at least 13 cases of the virus have been detected in England.

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.

NHS Greater Manchester is urging those at highest risk of getting seriously ill from the Covid-19 virus to get their free spring booster vaccination this spring.