The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has updated its advice on COVID-19 booster vaccinations.
The JCVI recommends that those at risk of more serious disease, who were in priority groups 1 to 9 during Phase 1 of the vaccination programme, should receive a booster vaccination to maintain high levels of protection through the winter. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid has accepted the JCVI’s advice and confirmed that the booster programme will begin next week in England.
This advice is separate from, and does not supersede, the advice on a third primary dose for people who are severely immunosuppressed. The JCVI will review whether someone who is severely immunosuppressed requires a further booster at a later date, following completion of their three dose primary course. The RCP will soon issue guidance for its members on vaccination for people who are severely immunosuppressed.
In response Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), said: “The RCP supports plans for COVID-19 booster vaccinations for those at most risk. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing serious illness, and we urge everyone who is eligible for a booster to take up the offer when they receive it.
“The only concern we have now is to make sure that people in every country have access to a vaccine. They have been enormously successful and undoubtedly saved many thousands of lives in the UK. That success must be replicated around the globe.”