An additional Covid booster jab is set to be rolled out in the spring, the Government has said.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) had advised of the need for an additional booster dose this spring for the most vulnerable people in the population.
It says immunity derived from vaccination declines over time and the committee said many of the oldest adults received their most recent vaccine dose in September or October last year.
As a result, health and social care secretary Sajid Javid said the Government had accepted the advice of the committee.
He said: "Today I have accepted the advice from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to offer, from spring, an additional COVID-19 booster jab to people aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and people aged 12 years and over who are immuno-suppressed. All four parts of the UK intend to follow the JCVI’s advice.
“Following the JCVI’s advice, I have asked the NHS to prepare to offer those eligible a vaccine from around six months after their last dose and they will set out further details in due course.
“We know immunity to COVID-19 begins to wane over time. That’s why we’re offering a spring booster to those people at higher risk of serious COVID-19 to make sure they maintain a high level of protection. It’s important that everyone gets their top-up jabs as soon as they’re eligible.
“The JCVI will keep under review whether the booster programme should be extended to further at-risk groups.
“This is a national mission – the vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones and I urge everybody to get your jabs as soon as you can. For anyone who is yet to get a booster, come forward to Get Boosted Now."
To read all the biggest and best stories first sign up to read our newsletters here.
The JCVI also provided additional interim advice to ministers for the purposes of forward planning that a further booster in the autumn of 2022 is likely to be advised for people who are at higher risk of severe Covid.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of Covid-19 vaccination on the JCVI, added: "Last year’s booster vaccination programme has so far provided excellent protection against severe COVID-19.
“To maintain high levels of protection for the most vulnerable individuals in the population, an extra spring dose of vaccine is advised ahead of an expected autumn booster programme later this year.
“The JCVI will continue its rolling review of the vaccination programme and the epidemiological situation, particularly in relation to the timing and value of doses for less vulnerable older adults and those in clinical risk groups ahead of autumn 2022.”
