Most vulnerable could get third Covid jab from September
The most vulnerable people could be offered a third Covid-19 jab from September, according to the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Pending final recommendations, millions of the most vulnerable will be given a booster vaccination in order that they maintain protection against the disease through the winter months.
The JCVI has proposed a two-stage programme for providing the extra doses, to run alongside a flu vaccination drive.
Under stage one of the plan, all adults with autoimmune diseases or who are deemed extremely vulnerable, care home residents, front line health workers, and those over 70, should be offered a third dose as soon as possible from September.
Following that, all those over 50, as well as all adults aged 16 – 49 years who are in an influenza or Covid-19 at-risk group, should get an extra dose.
New health secretary Sajid Javid welcomed the new advice, saying it would ensure the government was “ready” for the colder months.
“We welcome this interim advice, which will help us ensure we are ready in our preparations for Autumn. We look forward to receiving the Committee’s final advice in due course”, he said.
“We need to learn to live with this virus. Our first COVID-19 vaccination programme is restoring freedom in this country, and our booster programme will protect this freedom.
“We are working with the NHS to make sure we can rapidly deliver this programme to maintain protection for people in the winter months.”
Thus far, 85 per cent of adults have received a first vaccine dose, while 62 per cent have had two doses.
For younger adults who have not yet received both doses, the JCVI will consider the benefits of a booster jab at a later date.
It will lay out its final advice for booster jabs before September, it said.