Booster jabs could be extended to all adults, the health secretary has suggested, as he urged 40-49-year-olds to come forward for their third dose of Covid vaccine from Monday.
The independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has been asked to keep under review the timings and options for “revaccination” of adults.
It has already recommended that over-50s be given a third dose, and from Monday they will be joined by 40-49-year-olds, but Sajid Javid said he was awaiting advice on whether younger adults should also be included.
“If it makes sense to go further, we will. The latest data shows that the boosters are immensely effective,” he told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, stressing he would follow JCVI advice.
Government sources suggested a fresh recommendation for younger adults could come within weeks. It follows new research published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) last week that suggested a third dose provides very strong protection.
The UKHSA study suggested that two weeks after a third dose of the vaccine, protection against symptomatic infection for the over-50s was 93.1% for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and 94.0% for the Pfizer/BioNTech jab.
There are hopes in government that successful delivery of a booster programme – which has accelerated in recent weeks after a slow start – will help prevent the need for tougher restrictions over winter.
It is understood ministers have been advised that with cases increasing sharply in mainland Europe, there are two possible scenarios in the coming weeks, one of which involves a sharp increase in hospitalisations and deaths and the reintroduction of restrictions; but the other would see the UK benefiting from the higher immunity that has built up since the summer reopening to avoid a devastating fourth wave.
It is expected to be several weeks before it is clear which course the virus is taking in the UK.
Asked about the tougher restrictions being imposed in some countries, Javid acknowledged that the winter period was likely to be difficult, but said the government would stick to its “plan A” of ramping up booster jabs.
“We have long warned that this horrid virus likes the winter, and likes the cold, dark days that that brings – but the one big difference here is our booster programme,” he said, pointing to the fact that 15m booster doses had so far been delivered. “That is absolutely key for us to keep this virus at bay.”
He called on people to accept the invitation to have a third dose, “because that’s the best way we can look forward to the kind of Christmas that we all want to see”.
The government embarked on an advertising blitz last month amid fears the booster programme had got off to a slow start.
As well as rolling out boosters, the government’s plan A for tackling the virus in England, published in its autumn and winter plan, involves reminding the public to stick to advice on mask-wearing and ventilation.
Its plan B – which could be implemented if hospital capacity comes under unsustainable pressure – includes reintroducing mandatory mask-wearing and working from home guidance, as well as vaccine passports for large venues.
Boris Johnson initially announced in July that the government would make vaccine passports mandatory for venues including nightclubs, but the government abandoned the plan after vociferous objections from Conservative MPs. Both Scotland and Wales have introduced vaccine passports.
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