Variant LP.8.1 was identified as the main cause of large outbreaks overseas in late 2024 and early 2025, and was responsible for three in five Covid cases in the UK in March.

In February, the World Health Organisation identified the strain as one of two increasing on a global scale, though the risk to public health was classified as low.

While the variant does not appear to cause worse symptoms than its predecessors, recent testing has found it could be more contagious.

Several factors have sparked an explosion in cases according to associate professor James Trauer, a respiratory and public health physician from Monash University.

‘Immunity wanes pretty substantially over three to six months, [but] also the virus evolves,’ he told Daily Mail Australia this week.

The associate professor said the immunity people developed from previous Covid infections will not fully protect them against LP.8.1.

‘We’re going to see Covid epidemics indefinitely for many years into the future because immunity does wane fairly rapidly,’ he said.

 

Australians are bracing for an explosion of Covid cases this winter as the fifth anniversary for the pandemic passes (pictured, Sydney’s CBD)

 

Covid samples are seen being tested in a NSW Health pathology lab in Sydney’s east

What can Australians do?

Prof Trauer said the best protection for people, particularly those who are immunocompromised or vulnerable to Covid, is through vaccination.

‘The most recent vaccines are likely to be the most protective against the [variant] that’s around at the moment,’ he said.

But he added that Australians ‘don’t need to panic or worry about it the way we did when Covid first emerged’.

‘It’s a totally different kettle of fish,’ he said.

Who needs to get a Covid vaccine?

For young, healthy people, particularly those without symptoms, the physician said there is no reason to change daily behaviour.

‘If you do have symptoms, then also be conscious of that and and don’t go into situations where you could infect somebody who is elderly or at higher risk,’ he said.

 

The best way for people to be protected against Covid is by receiving a vaccine, a respiratory and public health physician has recommended (pictured, medical staff in Melbourne in 2020)

However, people at risk – specifically the elderly and people living with immuno-suppressive conditions – do need to take action.

‘They should absolutely be keeping an eye on vaccine recommendations and getting those most recent vaccines,’ Prof Trauer said.

When is the best time to get a Covid vaccine?

As of April 9, the Australian Department of Health recorded 941,700 vaccine doses had been administered to people aged 18 and over in the previous six months.

‘Now is the time to get vaccinated because all these vaccines are currently available from GPs,’ Prof Trauer urged.

Anyone aged 75 or over is recommended by the government to receive a vaccination for Covid every six months.

Australians between 65 and 74 years old have been recommended an annual dose, but they are also eligible to receive one every six months.

Those aged 18 to 64 years old are eligible for a free dose annually.

But, for those under 64 who are immunocompromised, the once-a-year vaccine is recommended and the group are eligible for a dose every six months.

The vaccines are not recommended or required for children generally.

However, those five-year-old and upwards, who are immunocompromised, are eligible for the annual dose.

 

The concern around soaring Covid cases this winter comes after warnings that flu season could be the worst on record for Australia (stock image)

Can I get a Covid and flu shot at the same time?

Australians have been warned the upcoming flu season could be the worst on record after the US and UK were hit with soaring influenza cases.

‘It seems possible we will get a significant Covid epidemic over the next couple of months that could coincide with flu and RSV epidemics,’ Mr Trauer said.

Australians can get Covid and flu vaccines on the same day, which Associate Professor Trauer said was a matter of convenience.

‘[It’s] a good way to get more people vaccinated ahead of winter,’ he said.

‘We know that fewer people will get vaccinated if the process is less convenient.’

Covid vaccinations are free for everyone in Australia, including those without a Medicare card.

You can get Covid vaccines from a range of vaccination providers which can be found on the Healthdirect website.