New COVID variant emerges as vaccination rates plunge

A surge of COVID cases and the emergence of a new variant ahead have raised concerns from health authorities, with doctors warning Queenslanders have “dropped the ball” on vaccination.

Figures show more than 15,000 COVID cases have been reported in Queensland since January, with nearly 3000 people hospitalised with the virus.

At the same time, fewer than 250,000 Queenslanders have received their free booster jab this year, which Mater’s director of infectious diseases Professor Paul Griffin said was the lowest since COVID vaccines were introduced.

NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily than other variants, but has similar symptoms.Credit: nna\joshua.buchwald

“We have dropped the ball with COVID-19 vaccinations, but this disease is still very prevalent in the community and poses a serious threat to high-risk patients,” Griffin said.

The figures arrived as NB.1.8.1 – a sublineage of the Omicron variant – emerged, which Griffin said was driving up infections and hospitalisations, particularly in Asia and Western Australia.

“The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get the newest booster, which provides very good coverage, is safe, and will reduce the severity of your symptoms if you contract COVID-19.”

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler also urged Australians to get a booster, particularly people over 75, who should have a booster every six months, and those between 65 and 74, who should have one every 12 months.

“For everyone else, have a serious think,” he added. “I’ve just got my booster over the last couple of weeks, and I think that puts me in a good position over winter, and other Australians should make sure that they equip themselves similarly.”

Griffith University virology and infectious diseases expert Associate Professor Lara Herrero said preliminary data regarding NB.1.8.1 suggested the virus could attach to host cells and evade antibodies slightly “stronger” and “better” than other variants.

“From other places that have sequenced this variant, we can see that there are mutations that are accumulating in the virus’s spike protein,” Herrero said.

“These are not huge changes that we’re seeing, but it is enough that WHO have decided to keep an eye on this one. They don’t do that with every variant.”

Herrero said early evidence suggests NB.1.8.1 may spread more easily than other variants, but had similar symptoms, such as sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion.

“We could have more cases, and we could have a longer duration of symptoms, but it is less likely to be more severe,” she said.

Warnings of the new COVID variant arrived as Queensland health providers dealt with high cases of flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

RSV is the leading cause of hospitalisation for babies in Australia, with 12,000 cases reported in Queensland this year.

In the same period, more than 2000 people have been hospitalised with the flu, and cases are up more than 30 per cent from the same time last year.

Griffin said the impact on our healthcare system “could be significant”.

Herrero echoed health experts urging people to get flu vaccinations and COVID boosters.

“Our healthcare system will do what it can to look after those who are sick, and together, hopefully we can minimise the damage of these viruses.”

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