UK to ramp up second jab rollout amid concerns over delay to lockdown lifting
The UK is said to be gearing up for an acceleration of its Covid-19 vaccination programme amid reports restrictions could continue beyond 21 June.
Over-40s are set to receive their second jab within eight weeks of the first, rather than 12 weeks, while over-25s will be offered their first dose from next week, the Telegraph reported.
The ramping up of the programme marks desperate efforts to halt the spread of the Indian variant of the virus, which is now the most dominant strain in the country.
Health secretary Matt Hancock yesterday said vaccinating Brits was the government’s priority, with offering jabs to children coming ahead of donating vaccines abroad.
Ministers have already announced an acceleration of the vaccination programme for over-50s, with the gap between first and second jab cut to eight weeks.
This is set to be extended to over-40s after a formal recommendation is made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), according to the report.
Reducing the amount of time between doses of the vaccine represents efforts to ensure as many people as possible are fully protected against Covid-19 as restrictions ease.
But even with the accelerated plan, the government is reportedly revising its roadmap out of lockdown by pushing back the 21 June target date for easing all restrictions by several weeks.
Senior government advisers told the i newspaper that social distancing in hospitality venues, working from home and masks on public transport could all remain in place after the so-called Freedom Day.
If confirmed, the move would come as a major blow to hospitality venues, while nightclubs and events are facing doubts over whether they will be able to reopen at capacity.
The cautious approach comes amid concerns that the Indian variant of Covid — as well as a Nepal mutation of this strain — could be more resistant to vaccines and lead to more hospitalisations and deaths.
This was one of the reasons cited by transport secretary Grant Shapps this week when he announced Portugal would be removed from the travel green list.