Islanders who are considered to be the most vulnerable to COVID-19 could start receiving a third ‘booster’ COVID-19 vaccination from September, it has been announced.
The Department of Health has said that interim guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has set out the priority list for who should get a third jab, should the need for a booster programme arise.
It remains unclear at this stage if the NHS will actually need to launch a booster campaign ahead of the winter months. Officials will be monitoring the data throughout July and August to see if protections need to be bolstered, although it seems likely that the Government will take this action to keep the virus at bay and the country unlocked.
It is not thought that those under the age of 50 will be offered a third jab.
Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, has said:
“The phenomenal vaccine rollout has already saved tens of thousands of lives and prevented millions of infections, helping to wrestle back control of the pandemic and ease lockdown restrictions so we can return to normal as soon as possible.
“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.
“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.”
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People will be like pin cushions at this rate!
Stop talking bollox,if the junkies can do it….? It’s only a little prick!