WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - According to Sedgwick County Health Director Adrienne Byrne, there is an extreme new variant BA.2.86 raising concern.

"We don't know very much about it and that currently is just about one percent of the cases in the US so the dominant strain that we have is the eris and that's over 20 percent of the cases that we have," said Byrne.  

With the flu season approaching, Via Christi's Dr. Maurice Duggins said the CDC is recommending getting a flu shot and a vaccination. Duggins adds this is expected to be a normal flu season and said the increase in COVID can cause people to also catch the flu.  

According to Byrne, Kansans die every year of flu related deaths which is why she says it is extremely important for anyone six months or older and medically able to get both shots.  

Byrne said the county is awaiting an update on the COVID vaccine from the advisory committee and the CDC. Once it has those updates, which should be in the next week or two, the vaccine should be available shortly thereafter. 

For more information, you can visit the Sedgwick County website here.