🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 16 (from laksa077)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa016.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jddenj5p5o\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jddenj5p5o\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c1jddenj5p5o","crawl_time":1774094057,"first_indexed_time":1726492696,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,bbc!www,\/news\/articles\/c1jddenj5p5o s443","src_root_hash":"1643509356818581016","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"New XEC Covid variant: What are the symptoms and is it spreading in the UK?","meta_descriptions":["XEC has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, scientists say."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"18 September 2024\nMichelle Roberts\nDigital health editor, BBC News\nGetty\nPeople have started catching a new Covid variant that could soon take off and become the dominant type, according to scientists.\nIdentified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say\nusers on X,\nformerly known as Twitter.\nIt has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, although vaccines should still help prevent severe cases, experts say.\nFor those more likely to become seriously ill from Covid, the NHS offers a free booster shot.\nThe vaccines have been updated to better match recent variants, although not XEC, which has emerged from earlier Omicron subvariants.\nProf Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that although XEC has a \"slight transmission advantage\" over other recent Covid variants, vaccines should still offer good protection.\nHe says it is possible XEC will become the dominant subvariant over the winter though.\n'Taking charge'\nDirector of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, in California, Eric Topol says XEC is \"just getting started\".\n\"And that's going to take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave,\" he told the LA Times.\n\"XEC is definitely taking charge.\n\"That does appear to be the next variant.\n\"But it's months off from getting into high levels.\"\nWhat are the symptoms of XEC Covid?\nSymptoms are thought to be the same cold or flu-like ones as before:\na high temperature\naches\ntiredness\na cough or sore throat\nMost people feel better within a few weeks of Covid but it can take longer to recover.\nThere has been \"strong growth\" of XEC in Denmark and Germany, Covid data analyst Mike Honey\nsays on X\n.\nThere is far less routine testing than before, making it difficult to know how much Covid might be around.\nWhere can I get Covid tests and vaccines?\nThe UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is normal for viruses to mutate and change.\nPeople qualifying for a free booster vaccine include:\nadults aged 65 years and over\nthose living in a care home for older adults\nthose over the age of six months in a clinical risk group\nsome front-line NHS, care home and social care workers\nDr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: “It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time. UKHSA continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging Covid variants in the UK and internationally, and to publish our data regularly.\n“Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from Covid-19, and we urge those who are contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine.”\nA number of High Street chemists and private clinics sell and administer Covid vaccines directly to the public.\nThe cost varies from about £45 to £99.\nYou need to be aged 12 or above, and must not have had a Covid shot in the previous three months.\nRoutine Covid testing is not recommended, but people can buy a test to carry out at home for around £2 from High Street and online chemists.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c1jddenj5p5o#main-content)\n\n[Register](https:\/\/session.bbc.com\/session?action=register&userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fc1jddenj5p5o)\n\n[Sign In](https:\/\/session.bbc.com\/session?userOrigin=BBCS_BBC&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fc1jddenj5p5o)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n- [Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/business)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/technology)\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/health)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/culture)\n- [Arts](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/arts)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet)\n- [Audio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video)\n- [Live](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/home)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n  - [US & Canada](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/us-canada)\n  - [UK](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/uk)\n    - [UK Politics](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/politics)\n    - [England](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/england)\n    - [N. 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[Adventures](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel\/adventures)\n  - [The SpeciaList](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel\/specialist)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet)\n  - [Science](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/innovation\/science)\n  - [Natural Wonders](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet\/natural-wonders)\n  - [Climate Solutions](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet\/solutions)\n  - [Sustainable Business](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet\/sustainable-business)\n  - [Green Living](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet\/green-living)\n- [Audio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio)\n  - [Podcast Categories](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio\/categories)\n  - [Radio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio\/stations)\n  - [Audio FAQs](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/undefined)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video)\n  - [BBC Maestro](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video\/bbc-maestro)\n  - [Discover the World](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video\/discover-the-world)\n- [Live](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live)\n  - [Live News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live\/news)\n  - [Live Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live\/sport)\n\n[Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n\nNews\n\n[Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n\nBusiness\n\nTechnology\n\n[Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/health)\n\nCulture\n\nArts\n\nTravel\n\nEarth\n\nAudio\n\nVideo\n\nLive\n\n[Weather](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/weather)\n\n[Newsletters](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/newsletters)\n\n# New XEC Covid variant: What are the symptoms and is it spreading in the UK?\n18 September 2024\n\nShare\n\nSave\n\nMichelle RobertsDigital health editor, BBC News\n\nShare\n\nSave\n\n![Getty Woman with a positive Covid test after checking it at home](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/cf09\/live\/95c52c30-741f-11ef-9423-ff8d003051c7.jpg.webp)Getty\n\nPeople have started catching a new Covid variant that could soon take off and become the dominant type, according to scientists.\n\nIdentified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say [users on X,](https:\/\/x.com\/EricTopol\/status\/1835108939123573068) formerly known as Twitter.\n\nIt has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, although vaccines should still help prevent severe cases, experts say.\n\nFor those more likely to become seriously ill from Covid, the NHS offers a free booster shot.\n\nThe vaccines have been updated to better match recent variants, although not XEC, which has emerged from earlier Omicron subvariants.\n\nProf Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that although XEC has a \"slight transmission advantage\" over other recent Covid variants, vaccines should still offer good protection.\n\nHe says it is possible XEC will become the dominant subvariant over the winter though.\n\n[Who can get an NHS Covid jab this autumn?](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-55045639)\n\n[Is Covid now just a regular winter bug?](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-66994137)\n## 'Taking charge'\nDirector of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, in California, Eric Topol says XEC is \"just getting started\".\n\n\"And that's going to take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave,\" he told the LA Times.\n\n\"XEC is definitely taking charge.\n\n\"That does appear to be the next variant.\n\n\"But it's months off from getting into high levels.\"\n\n## What are the symptoms of XEC Covid?\nSymptoms are thought to be the same cold or flu-like ones as before:\n\n- a high temperature\n- aches\n- tiredness\n- a cough or sore throat\n\nMost people feel better within a few weeks of Covid but it can take longer to recover.\n\nThere has been \"strong growth\" of XEC in Denmark and Germany, Covid data analyst Mike Honey [says on X](https:\/\/x.com\/Mike_Honey_).\n\nThere is far less routine testing than before, making it difficult to know how much Covid might be around.\n\n## Where can I get Covid tests and vaccines?\nThe UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is normal for viruses to mutate and change.\n\nPeople qualifying for a free booster vaccine include:\n\n- adults aged 65 years and over\n- those living in a care home for older adults\n- those over the age of six months in a clinical risk group\n- some front-line NHS, care home and social care workers\n\nThe main [vaccination drive for flu and Covid](https:\/\/www.england.nhs.uk\/long-read\/flu-and-covid-19-seasonal-vaccination-programme-autumn-winter-2024-25\/) will start in October, although some may receive their shots earlier.\n\nDr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: “It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time. UKHSA continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging Covid variants in the UK and internationally, and to publish our data regularly.\n\n“Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from Covid-19, and we urge those who are contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine.”\n\nA number of High Street chemists and private clinics sell and administer Covid vaccines directly to the public.\n\nThe cost varies from about £45 to £99.\n\nYou need to be aged 12 or above, and must not have had a Covid shot in the previous three months.\n\nRoutine Covid testing is not recommended, but people can buy a test to carry out at home for around £2 from High Street and online chemists.\n\n[Coronavirus vaccines](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/topics\/c87z0we2g0zt)\n\n[Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/health)\n\n[Omicron variant](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/topics\/cv2p1ppg6n7t)\n\n***\nRelated\n\n[Four charged with sale of fake Covid-19 passports](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/ceqv02y7ywdo)\n\n[Islanders to pay for Covid and flu jabs from April](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cx28yv2kky0o)\n\n[Firm assessing Covid vaccine harm replaced after costs spiral to £48m](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c5yrvyv4zlzo)\n\n***\nMore from the BBC\n\n[2 hrs ago ![A close up of a woman's mouth as she places a nut between her teeth (Credit: Getty Images)](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/480x270\/p0n7vsfj.jpg.webp) Don't count calories. Try eating smarter instead The time of day you have a meal, how fast you scoff your food and even how much you chew it can affect how many calories you get from it. 2 hrs ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future\/article\/20260320-counting-calories-doesnt-work-try-eating-smarter-instead)\n\n[2 hrs ago ![A brunette girl, wearing a grey top and blue face mask sits looking at a needle, her sleeve is rolled up. An older blonde woman, in a blue fleece is holding up the girl's shirt sleeve, ready to administer the vaccine](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Five questions that still need answering about the meningitis outbreak The size and speed of the outbreak which has now affected 29 people, killing two of them, has been labelled \"unprecedented\". 2 hrs ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cz783d70x8ro)\n\n[4 hrs ago ![A hand holding a blue inhaler with the sleeve of a leather jacket visible](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Inhaler concerns raised following asthma death Asthma + Lung UK says more needs to be done to prevent the overuse of inhalers. 4 hrs ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cp3858g9dd2o)\n\n[5 hrs ago ![Dr Claudia Wegner, wearing a stripy top and pink cardigan, Dr Henry Steer, wearing a light dark jacket and white shirt and Dr Anna Bibby wearing a light shirt and grey jacket, all standing by a CT scanner. ](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Mobile lung clinic 'detecting cancer early' The clinic is offering lung checks for smokers or ex-smokers aged from 55 to 74. 5 hrs ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/c5y8lr1z0weo)\n\n[18 hrs ago ![A high street which has Georgian terraced houses on it. There is a pub and other businesses on the bottom row of the houses. There is a large bus stop and a bus shelter with two people waiting under it. ](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/1024x1024\/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Help service and trust to change after drug death A coroner tells a hospital trust and drugs service to take action to prevent future deaths. 18 hrs ago](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cgme7lp3k01o)\n***\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n- [Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/business)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/technology)\n- [Health](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/health)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/culture)\n- [Arts](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/arts)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet)\n- [Audio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video)\n- [Live](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live)\n- [Weather](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/weather)\n- [BBC Shop](https:\/\/shop.bbc.com\/)\n- [BritBox](https:\/\/www.britbox.com\/?utm_source=bbc.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=footer)\n\nBBC in other languages\n\n### The BBC is in multiple languages\n#### Read the BBC In your own language\n[Oduu Afaan Oromootiin](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/afaanoromoo)\n\n[Amharic ዜና በአማርኛ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/amharic)\n\n[Arabic عربي](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/arabic)\n\n[Azeri AZƏRBAYCAN](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/azeri)\n\n[Bangla বাংলা](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bengali)\n\n[Burmese မြန်မာ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/burmese)\n\n[Chinese 中文网](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/zhongwen\/simp)\n\n[Dari دری](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/dari)\n\n[French AFRIQUE](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/afrique)\n\n[Hausa HAUSA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/hausa)\n\n[Hindi हिन्दी](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/hindi)\n\n[Gaelic NAIDHEACHDAN](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/naidheachdan)\n\n[Gujarati ગુજરાતીમાં સમાચાર](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/gujarati)\n\n[Igbo AKỤKỌ N’IGBO](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/igbo)\n\n[Indonesian INDONESIA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/indonesia)\n\n[Japanese 日本語](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/japanese)\n\n[Kinyarwanda GAHUZA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/gahuza)\n\n[Kirundi KIRUNDI](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/gahuza)\n\n[Korean 한국어](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/korean)\n\n[Kyrgyz Кыргыз](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/kyrgyz)\n\n[Marathi मराठी](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/marathi)\n\n[Nepali नेपाली](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/nepali)\n\n[Noticias para hispanoparlantes](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/mundo)\n\n[Pashto پښتو](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pashto)\n\n[Persian فارسی](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/persian)\n\n[Pidgin](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pidgin)\n\n[Polish PO POLSKU](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/polska)\n\n[Portuguese BRASIL](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/portuguese)\n\n[Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਖ਼ਬਰਾਂ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/punjabi)\n\n[Russian НА РУССКОМ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/russian)\n\n[Serbian NA SRPSKOM](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/serbian\/lat)\n\n[Sinhala සිංහල](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sinhala)\n\n[Somali SOMALI](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/somali)\n\n[Swahili HABARI KWA KISWAHILI](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/swahili)\n\n[Tamil தமிழில் செய்திகள்](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/tamil)\n\n[Telugu తెలుగు వార్తలు](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/telugu)\n\n[Thai ข่าวภาษาไทย](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/thai)\n\n[Tigrinya ዜና ብትግርኛ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/tigrinya)\n\n[Turkish TÜRKÇE](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/turkce)\n\n[Ukrainian УКРАЇНСЬКA](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/ukrainian)\n\n[Urdu اردو](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/urdu)\n\n[Uzbek O'ZBEK](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/uzbek)\n\n[Vietnamese TIẾNG VIỆT](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/vietnamese)\n\n[Welsh NEWYDDION](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/cymrufyw)\n\n[Yoruba ÌRÒYÌN NÍ YORÙBÁ](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/yoruba)\n\nFollow BBC on:\n\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/terms-of-use)\n- [Subscription Terms](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/subscription-terms)\n- [About the BBC](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/aboutthebbc)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/privacy-policy)\n- [Cookies](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/usingthebbc\/cookies\/)\n- [Accessibility Help](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/accessibility\/)\n- [Contact the BBC](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/contact)\n- [Advertise with us](https:\/\/advertising.bbcstudios.com\/)\n- [Do not share or sell my info](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/usingthebbc\/cookies\/how-can-i-change-my-bbc-cookie-settings\/)\n- [BBC.com Help & FAQs](https:\/\/help.bbc.com\/hc\/)\n- [Content Index](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/content-index)\n- [Set Preferred Source](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future\/article\/20260128-how-to-make-google-put-trusted-sources-up-top-when-you-search)\n\nCopyright 2026 BBC. 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[**Read about our approach to external linking.**](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/editorialguidelines\/guidance\/feeds-and-links)","attrs_readable_markdown":"18 September 2024\n\nMichelle RobertsDigital health editor, BBC News\n\n![Getty Woman with a positive Covid test after checking it at home](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/cf09\/live\/95c52c30-741f-11ef-9423-ff8d003051c7.jpg.webp)Getty\n\nPeople have started catching a new Covid variant that could soon take off and become the dominant type, according to scientists.\n\nIdentified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say [users on X,](https:\/\/x.com\/EricTopol\/status\/1835108939123573068) formerly known as Twitter.\n\nIt has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, although vaccines should still help prevent severe cases, experts say.\n\nFor those more likely to become seriously ill from Covid, the NHS offers a free booster shot.\n\nThe vaccines have been updated to better match recent variants, although not XEC, which has emerged from earlier Omicron subvariants.\n\nProf Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that although XEC has a \"slight transmission advantage\" over other recent Covid variants, vaccines should still offer good protection.\n\nHe says it is possible XEC will become the dominant subvariant over the winter though.\n\n'Taking charge'\n\nDirector of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, in California, Eric Topol says XEC is \"just getting started\".\n\n\"And that's going to take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave,\" he told the LA Times.\n\n\"XEC is definitely taking charge.\n\n\"That does appear to be the next variant.\n\n\"But it's months off from getting into high levels.\"\n\nWhat are the symptoms of XEC Covid?\n\nSymptoms are thought to be the same cold or flu-like ones as before:\n\n- a high temperature\n- aches\n- tiredness\n- a cough or sore throat\n\nMost people feel better within a few weeks of Covid but it can take longer to recover.\n\nThere has been \"strong growth\" of XEC in Denmark and Germany, Covid data analyst Mike Honey [says on X](https:\/\/x.com\/Mike_Honey_).\n\nThere is far less routine testing than before, making it difficult to know how much Covid might be around.\n\nWhere can I get Covid tests and vaccines?\n\nThe UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is normal for viruses to mutate and change.\n\nPeople qualifying for a free booster vaccine include:\n\n- adults aged 65 years and over\n- those living in a care home for older adults\n- those over the age of six months in a clinical risk group\n- some front-line NHS, care home and social care workers\n\nDr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: “It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time. UKHSA continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging Covid variants in the UK and internationally, and to publish our data regularly.\n\n“Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from Covid-19, and we urge those who are contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine.”\n\nA number of High Street chemists and private clinics sell and administer Covid vaccines directly to the public.\n\nThe cost varies from about £45 to £99.\n\nYou need to be aged 12 or above, and must not have had a Covid shot in the previous three months.\n\nRoutine Covid testing is not recommended, but people can buy a test to carry out at home for around £2 from High Street and online chemists.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	18 September 2024 Michelle Roberts Digital health editor, BBC News Getty People have started catching a new Covid variant that could soon take off and become the dominant type, according to scientists. Identified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say users on X, formerly known as Twitter. It has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, although vaccines should still help prevent severe cases, experts say. For those more likely to become seriously ill from Covid, the NHS offers a free booster shot. The vaccines have been updated to better match recent variants, although not XEC, which has emerged from earlier Omicron subvariants. Prof Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that although XEC has a "slight transmission advantage" over other recent Covid variants, vaccines should still offer good protection. He says it is possible XEC will become the dominant subvariant over the winter though. 'Taking charge' Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, in California, Eric Topol says XEC is "just getting started". "And that's going to take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave," he told the LA Times. "XEC is definitely taking charge. "That does appear to be the next variant. "But it's months off from getting into high levels." What are the symptoms of XEC Covid? Symptoms are thought to be the same cold or flu-like ones as before: a high temperature aches tiredness a cough or sore throat Most people feel better within a few weeks of Covid but it can take longer to recover. There has been "strong growth" of XEC in Denmark and Germany, Covid data analyst Mike Honey says on X . There is far less routine testing than before, making it difficult to know how much Covid might be around. Where can I get Covid tests and vaccines? The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is normal for viruses to mutate and change. People qualifying for a free booster vaccine include: adults aged 65 years and over those living in a care home for older adults those over the age of six months in a clinical risk group some front-line NHS, care home and social care workers Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: “It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time. UKHSA continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging Covid variants in the UK and internationally, and to publish our data regularly. “Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from Covid-19, and we urge those who are contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine.” A number of High Street chemists and private clinics sell and administer Covid vaccines directly to the public. The cost varies from about £45 to £99. You need to be aged 12 or above, and must not have had a Covid shot in the previous three months. Routine Covid testing is not recommended, but people can buy a test to carry out at home for around £2 from High Street and online chemists.
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Identified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say [users on X,](https://x.com/EricTopol/status/1835108939123573068) formerly known as Twitter. It has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, although vaccines should still help prevent severe cases, experts say. For those more likely to become seriously ill from Covid, the NHS offers a free booster shot. The vaccines have been updated to better match recent variants, although not XEC, which has emerged from earlier Omicron subvariants. Prof Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that although XEC has a "slight transmission advantage" over other recent Covid variants, vaccines should still offer good protection. He says it is possible XEC will become the dominant subvariant over the winter though. [Who can get an NHS Covid jab this autumn?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55045639) [Is Covid now just a regular winter bug?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66994137) ## 'Taking charge' Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, in California, Eric Topol says XEC is "just getting started". "And that's going to take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave," he told the LA Times. "XEC is definitely taking charge. "That does appear to be the next variant. "But it's months off from getting into high levels." ## What are the symptoms of XEC Covid? Symptoms are thought to be the same cold or flu-like ones as before: - a high temperature - aches - tiredness - a cough or sore throat Most people feel better within a few weeks of Covid but it can take longer to recover. There has been "strong growth" of XEC in Denmark and Germany, Covid data analyst Mike Honey [says on X](https://x.com/Mike_Honey_). There is far less routine testing than before, making it difficult to know how much Covid might be around. ## Where can I get Covid tests and vaccines? The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is normal for viruses to mutate and change. People qualifying for a free booster vaccine include: - adults aged 65 years and over - those living in a care home for older adults - those over the age of six months in a clinical risk group - some front-line NHS, care home and social care workers The main [vaccination drive for flu and Covid](https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/flu-and-covid-19-seasonal-vaccination-programme-autumn-winter-2024-25/) will start in October, although some may receive their shots earlier. Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: “It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time. UKHSA continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging Covid variants in the UK and internationally, and to publish our data regularly. “Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from Covid-19, and we urge those who are contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine.” A number of High Street chemists and private clinics sell and administer Covid vaccines directly to the public. The cost varies from about £45 to £99. You need to be aged 12 or above, and must not have had a Covid shot in the previous three months. Routine Covid testing is not recommended, but people can buy a test to carry out at home for around £2 from High Street and online chemists. [Coronavirus vaccines](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c87z0we2g0zt) [Health](https://www.bbc.com/news/health) [Omicron variant](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cv2p1ppg6n7t) * Related [Four charged with sale of fake Covid-19 passports](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceqv02y7ywdo) [Islanders to pay for Covid and flu jabs from April](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx28yv2kky0o) [Firm assessing Covid vaccine harm replaced after costs spiral to £48m](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yrvyv4zlzo) * More from the BBC [2 hrs ago ![A close up of a woman's mouth as she places a nut between her teeth (Credit: Getty Images)](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/480x270/p0n7vsfj.jpg.webp) Don't count calories. Try eating smarter instead The time of day you have a meal, how fast you scoff your food and even how much you chew it can affect how many calories you get from it. 2 hrs ago](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20260320-counting-calories-doesnt-work-try-eating-smarter-instead) [2 hrs ago ![A brunette girl, wearing a grey top and blue face mask sits looking at a needle, her sleeve is rolled up. An older blonde woman, in a blue fleece is holding up the girl's shirt sleeve, ready to administer the vaccine](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Five questions that still need answering about the meningitis outbreak The size and speed of the outbreak which has now affected 29 people, killing two of them, has been labelled "unprecedented". 2 hrs ago](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz783d70x8ro) [4 hrs ago ![A hand holding a blue inhaler with the sleeve of a leather jacket visible](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Inhaler concerns raised following asthma death Asthma + Lung UK says more needs to be done to prevent the overuse of inhalers. 4 hrs ago](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3858g9dd2o) [5 hrs ago ![Dr Claudia Wegner, wearing a stripy top and pink cardigan, Dr Henry Steer, wearing a light dark jacket and white shirt and Dr Anna Bibby wearing a light shirt and grey jacket, all standing by a CT scanner. ](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Mobile lung clinic 'detecting cancer early' The clinic is offering lung checks for smokers or ex-smokers aged from 55 to 74. 5 hrs ago](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y8lr1z0weo) [18 hrs ago ![A high street which has Georgian terraced houses on it. There is a pub and other businesses on the bottom row of the houses. 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Readable Markdown	18 September 2024 Michelle RobertsDigital health editor, BBC News ![Getty Woman with a positive Covid test after checking it at home](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/cf09/live/95c52c30-741f-11ef-9423-ff8d003051c7.jpg.webp)Getty People have started catching a new Covid variant that could soon take off and become the dominant type, according to scientists. Identified in Germany, in June, cases of the XEC variant have since emerged in the UK, US, Denmark and several other countries, say [users on X,](https://x.com/EricTopol/status/1835108939123573068) formerly known as Twitter. It has some new mutations that might help it spread this autumn, although vaccines should still help prevent severe cases, experts say. For those more likely to become seriously ill from Covid, the NHS offers a free booster shot. The vaccines have been updated to better match recent variants, although not XEC, which has emerged from earlier Omicron subvariants. Prof Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that although XEC has a "slight transmission advantage" over other recent Covid variants, vaccines should still offer good protection. He says it is possible XEC will become the dominant subvariant over the winter though. 'Taking charge' Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, in California, Eric Topol says XEC is "just getting started". "And that's going to take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave," he told the LA Times. "XEC is definitely taking charge. "That does appear to be the next variant. "But it's months off from getting into high levels." What are the symptoms of XEC Covid? Symptoms are thought to be the same cold or flu-like ones as before: - a high temperature - aches - tiredness - a cough or sore throat Most people feel better within a few weeks of Covid but it can take longer to recover. There has been "strong growth" of XEC in Denmark and Germany, Covid data analyst Mike Honey [says on X](https://x.com/Mike_Honey_). There is far less routine testing than before, making it difficult to know how much Covid might be around. Where can I get Covid tests and vaccines? The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is normal for viruses to mutate and change. People qualifying for a free booster vaccine include: - adults aged 65 years and over - those living in a care home for older adults - those over the age of six months in a clinical risk group - some front-line NHS, care home and social care workers Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, said: “It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time. UKHSA continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging Covid variants in the UK and internationally, and to publish our data regularly. “Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from Covid-19, and we urge those who are contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine.” A number of High Street chemists and private clinics sell and administer Covid vaccines directly to the public. The cost varies from about £45 to £99. You need to be aged 12 or above, and must not have had a Covid shot in the previous three months. Routine Covid testing is not recommended, but people can buy a test to carry out at home for around £2 from High Street and online chemists.
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