England Ready to Launch , Vaccination Program , Amid New Variant.<br />England is getting ready to step up its autumn flu <br />and COVID-19 vaccine programs after identifying <br />the highly-mutated BA.2.86 variant in circulation.<br />Scientists have reportedly said the new offshoot <br />of the Omicron variant is unlikely to result in <br />a severe wave of disease and death. .<br />Fox News reports that experts have suggested that <br />global immune defenses have strengthened from <br />a combination of vaccination and prior infection.<br />As our world-leading scientists gather <br />more information on the BA.2.86 <br />variant, it makes sense to bring <br />forward the vaccination program, Maria Caulfield, Junior health minister, via Fox News.<br />Fox News reports that the BA.2.86 variant <br />was first detected in the U.K. on August 18.<br />The government's vaccination program <br />begins on September 11, with people at the <br />highest risk eligible to receive their shots first. .<br />On July 24, the BA.2.86 variant <br />was first detected in Denmark.<br />Fox News reports that the variant has since <br />been found in a handful of other countries.<br />There is limited information available <br />at present on BA.2.86 so the potential <br />impact of this particular variant<br />is difficult to estimate, Jenny Harries, U.K. Health Security <br />Agency Chief Executive, via Fox News.<br />As with all emergent and circulating <br />COVID-19 variants ... we will continue to <br />monitor BA.2.86 and to advise government <br />and the public as we learn more, Jenny Harries, U.K. Health Security <br />Agency Chief Executive, via Fox News
