Top medic urges 'at risk' to book in for Covid jab

WITH a new Covid-19 variant causing concern, North East doctors are urging at-risk people to get a booster jab to stay safe and avoid a list of worrying symptoms.

- SAM VOLPE

The NB.1.8.1 variant has been confirmed in the UK and causes symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, heartburn and stomach pain.

Now one of the region’s most senior medics has warned we're likely to see a rise in new cases - and that there's little more than a week for people in “at risk” groups to get a spring booster Covid-19 jab.

Dr Neil O’Brien said: “With only eight days left of the spring vaccination programme, it’s really important that people who are most at risk come forward now to get protected.

“Although the new Covid-19 strain has so far been detected in only small numbers in the UK, data shows it is making up an increasing share of overall cases. This suggests we are likely to see a rise in infections in the coming months.”