Covid19: UK to vaccinate vulnerable population with third dose ahead of winter
London/IBNS: The UK Government is preparing to give a booster shot to those Britons, who have already received two doses of coronavirus vaccine, from September in order to ensure that the protection against new variants of the virus is maintained before winter arrives, according to media reports.
Adding to a BBC report, the National Health Service (NHS) has been given the nod to prepare a program to administer the booster doses to millions of people in the country.
The focus is currently on rapid implementation of the fresh vaccination drive. The ministers are closely working with the NHS, said Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid, the report added.
The decision on the third jab of Covid-19 vaccine has been taken on the advice of Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and will be launched alongside the annual flu vaccine programme, said Express Newspaper.
According to UK's Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi, over 62 per cent of the country's adult population has been fully vaccinated and at least 85 per cent have been given the first dose.
Media reports said that nearly 30 million people who are most vulnerable to Covid-19 and flu will be administered the third dose before winter.
All adults above 50 and anyone younger who qualifies for a flu vaccine will be given the booster shot.
BBC reported that an extra dose of vaccine is being planned based on "safety first approach" as there is lack of data to prove that first two doses will protect the vulnerable population through the winter though vaccines are thought to remain effective for at least six months.
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