Covid-19: Vaccination campaign extended until this date due to the new variant

A new variant of Covid-19 called NB.1.8.1 is causing particular concern. In response to this situation, the government has decided to extend the vaccination campaign.

A new variant of Covid-19 is being closely monitored. Called NB.1.8.1, it has recently been detected in several countries around the world, including France. At least a dozen cases have reportedly already been reported in the country. Even though it is virtually non-existent (for the moment), the French Directorate General of Health (DGS) has decided to extend the vaccination campaign, which was scheduled to run until June 15.

The DGS announced in a press release that in this "context of the emergence of the NB.1.8.1 variant and in order to allow as many people as possible to protect themselves, the vaccination renewal campaign is extended until June 30, 2025."

This campaign began on April 14th to "enable targeted individuals to be protected during the summer period." It targets individuals aged 80 and over, immunocompromised patients, residents of nursing homes, or "anyone at very high risk depending on their individual medical situation," the DGS points out.

This newly circulating strain has been classified as a "variant under surveillance" by the World Health Organization. There are several reasons for concern surrounding this variant. First, it is causing a notable increase in cases in Asia. The Hong Kong government revealed in a statement that "the main COVID-19 surveillance indicators have reached their highest level in a year." Several dozen serious cases, including 30 deaths, have been recorded there in one month.

Then, according to specialists, the NB.1.8.1 variant could be more transmissible than other previous variants. "The initial results probably show a greater ease of penetration into the cell. This means that, in concrete terms, we have greater transmissibility," infectious disease specialist Benjamin Davido explained on LCI .

But for the WHO , the variant is not a source of particular concern. "The additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is considered low globally. Despite a concomitant increase in the number of cases and hospitalizations in some countries where the NB.1.8.1 variant is prevalent, current data do not indicate that this variant causes more severe disease than other circulating variants." Another reassuring fact: currently available vaccines against Covid-19 "should remain effective" against this variant, according to the WHO.