Covid booster vaccine wait time could be slashed with ‘9 million Brits to get jab early’ as virus cases continue to rise
THE wait time for Covid booster vaccines could be slashed under plans considered by ministers.
It could see almost nine million more Brits eligible for the third jab early, as virus cases continue to rise across the country.
The elderly may soon be able to get their jab five months after their last dose.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is also said to be keen on the plans put forward by scientific advisers and ministers, the reports.
The large majority of over-65s could be vaccinated by early November rather than December under the scheme, while over-70s could be inoculated now rather than by mid-November.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson seemingly backed the proposals on Thursday, saying it was an "extremely important point".
He said the rollout of the booster jab should move "as fast as possible".
Almost a quarter of a million people booked in for a top-up in just 24 hours on Wednesday, suggesting the country is keen to get protected fast.
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No 10 is hoping next week’s school half-term will act as a mini-circuit breaker and bring down rising infection rates.
Daily Covid cases have continued to spike in the coming days - with more than 50,000 recorded for the first time in three months on Thursday.
Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has backed master plans to bring boosters forward, suggesting it would be the best method to ensure Brits have maximum protection from the virus over the Christmas period.
Other Tory MPs also urged ministers to turbocharge the boosters rollout so freedoms are retained this winter.
The PM has vowed to stick with his plan and reassured voters he was not about to trigger Plan B.
That would mean face masks, working from home and vaccine passports.
Ministers have launched an advertising blitz to encourage people to book and the NHS has loosened appointment rules. But there are still more than a million people who are eligible for a booster and have not had it.
England’s 300,000 care home residents were at the front of the queue and should all get the top-up by November 1 — but only about 40 per cent have been reached so far.
Care home bosses say doctors are not bringing in vaccines or have been slow to arrange visits to the homes.
Scientists say that the rollout has suffered because the NHS is busy.
