Covid booster jabs to be offered to over 40s

All over 40s will be offered a third dose of a Covid vaccine, following recommendations from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

New data from the UK Health Security Agency shows three doses of a Covid-19 vaccine cut the risk of infection by more than 93%.

So far, over 12.6 million people have received a booster jab, given to the over-50s, front-line medical staff, and people with health conditions that put them at greater risk.

Furthermore, 16 and 17-year-olds, initially offered just one vaccination, will be able to receive a second.

Those aged between 40 and 49 will be offered either the Pfizer-BioNTech jab or a half dose of the Moderna vaccine, regardless of the vaccines received for the first and second doses.

The JCVI says an additional booster vaccine – a fourth dose – may also be required to protect the most vulnerable during the first half of 2022.

Further considerations also include the need for boosters for 18-39-year-olds who are not in an at-risk group.

Speaking on Monday (15 November), Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said he has asked the NHS to offer jabs to those eligible 'as soon as possible'.

He said: “Our coronavirus vaccination roll-out has been a phenomenal success, saving countless lives, reducing pressure on the NHS and helping us stop the spread of the virus.

“I have asked the NHS to prepare to offer those eligible a vaccine as soon as possible.

“This is a national mission – the vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones, and I urge everybody to get your jabs as soon as you can.”

 

 

The Prime Minister said that the booster is 'absolutely critical' as protection from the first two doses starts to wane.

He said: “That booster is absolutely crucial because over time the protection from two jabs starts to wane: the third jab boosts protection back up to over 90% against symptomatic infection.

“Many more people who are eligible have not yet come forward. And so if you are one of those people, please go and get that third jab.

“Because it would be an utter tragedy if, after everything we have been through, people who had done the right thing by getting double vaccinated ended up becoming seriously ill or even losing their lives because they allowed their immunity to wane by not getting their booster.

“And if you haven’t even had one dose, it’s not too late.

“In fact, there’s never been a better time to get that vital protection as we head into winter.

“So please, please go and get vaccinated, to protect yourself and others, and in doing so we can help to ensure that we can continue in the way that we are sticking to our plan of using vaccination to control this virus.”

He continued: “Our friends on the continent have been forced to respond with various degrees of new restrictions; from full lockdowns to lockdowns for the unvaccinated, to restrictions on business opening hours and restrictions on social gatherings.

“History shows we cannot afford to be complacent.

“Indeed, in recent days, cases have been rising here in the UK, so we must remain vigilant.

“Those countries with lower vaccination rates have tended to see bigger surges in infection, and in turn been forced to respond with harsher measures.

“While those countries with higher vaccination rates have, so far, fared better. This shows us once again that if we want to control the epidemic here in the UK, and if we want to avoid new restrictions on our daily lives, we must all get vaccinated as soon as we are eligible.”

Book your booster jab or your first or second dose of Covid-19 vaccination online here.