The booster vaccine roll-out is well underway in England, despite warnings that this could help to cause a permanent state of lockdown. 1.5 million invitations are being sent to people – starting with those aged 50 and over, as well as to the clinically vulnerable and healthcare workers – this week to book their third dose. Sky News has the story.
Texts will be sent out on Monday, while letters will be posted to those who are eligible for a third coronavirus vaccine dose later in the week, NHS England said.
Around 1.5 million people will be contacted and encouraged to use the National Booking Service.
Those eligible for booster jabs include those aged 50 and over, people living and working in care homes for the elderly and frontline health and social care workers.
Booster shots will also be available to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and anyone aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group for Covid.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said this week that people should receive their booster dose at least six months after they received their second Covid jab.
The JCVI also said half doses of the Moderna jab could be used as an alternative.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said boosters will “strengthen the wall of defence” created by the vaccines.
Ministers say the success of the booster vaccine roll-out (and of the roll-out of vaccines for children) will determine whether further restrictions – including mask mandates, vaccine passports and possibly another lockdown – should be imposed this winter.
The Sky News report is worth reading in full.
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