COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Season

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Written by Thelma Okunuga MD, MPHARM

As we enter the COVID-19 and flu vaccination season, it’s important to review what COVID-19 is, the vaccines available, and the latest variants.

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, remains a contagious and sometimes debilitating illness. Despite extensive research, new variants continue to emerge. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified five major variants of concern since the start of the pandemic:

  • Alpha (UK, 2020)
  • Beta (South Africa, 2020)
  • Gamma (Brazil, 2021)
  • Delta (India, 2020)
  • Omicron (South Africa, 2021)

According to the WHO (2025), vaccination with monovalent JN.1 or KP.2 antigens in humans has produced robust neutralizing antibody responses to JN.1 and related variants, including KP.3.1.1, XEC, LP.8.1, and LF.7.2. The currently approved JN.1 and KP.2 vaccines elicit broadly cross-reactive immune responses to circulating JN.1-derived variants. LP.8.1, as a vaccine antigen, shows similar or modestly increased cross-reactive antibody responses compared with JN.1 or KP.2 vaccines. Mathematical modeling suggests that higher neutralizing antibody levels may improve vaccine effectiveness and duration of protection.

WHO Key Facts (2023):

  • COVID-19 is caused by a virus and spreads through close contact.
  • Common symptoms include fever, chills, and sore throat.
  • Most people recover without hospital treatment, but severe cases require medical care.
  • Over 760 million cases and 6.9 million deaths have been reported worldwide.
  • More than 13 billion vaccine doses have been administered globally.

In the UK, there were 1,112 weekly cases and 122 weekly deaths from COVID-19 as of November 2024 (UKSA, 2024).

Treatment (NICE):

  • Mild cases: rest, fluids, paracetamol, or ibuprofen.
  • Severe cases: hospital care with antivirals such as Paxlovid, Xevudy, Lagevrio, Remdesivir, and Tocilizumab.

COVID-19 continues to affect global health and economies, but vaccination remains our best defense. Staying up to date with boosters helps reduce transmission and protect vulnerable populations.

References:

  1. Cascella M. et al. (2024) StatPearls Publishing
  2. WHO (2023) Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
  3. GOV.UK UKSA Dashboard (2024)
  4. Gallager J. (2020) BBC News
  5. WHO (2025) Statement on Antigen Composition of COVID-19 Vaccines

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