The Health Secretary has confirmed that those aged over 75 years old and the most vulnerable people aged over 12 years old will be offered an additional COVID-19 vaccine this Spring.
The Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed the news earlier by saying:
âThanks to our COVID-19 vaccination rollout, we are already the freest country in Europe. It has saved countless lives, reduced pressure on the NHS and is allowing us to learn to live with the virus.
âToday I have accepted the advice from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to offer, from spring, an additional COVID-19 booster jab to people aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and people aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed. All four parts of the UK intend to follow the JCVIâs advice.
âFollowing the JCVIâs advice, I have asked the NHS to prepare to offer those eligible a vaccine from around six months after their last dose and they will set out further details in due course.
âWe know immunity to COVID-19 begins to wane over time. Thatâs why weâre offering a spring booster to those people at higher risk of serious COVID-19 to make sure they maintain a high level of protection. Itâs important that everyone gets their top-up jabs as soon as theyâre eligible.
âThe JCVI will keep under review whether the booster programme should be extended to further at-risk groups.
âThis is a national mission â 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. For anyone who is yet to get a booster, come forward to Get Boosted Now.â