Booster jabs for the over-30s will begin tomorrow to tackle surge in new cases
MILLIONS of thirtysomethings will be offered their booster vaccine from tomorrow – as Covid rates in the age group start to rise.
Invitations will start going out to 7.5million people aged 30 to 39 across England, with almost half of them immediately eligible to book ahead for an appointment.
It comes after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation changed its advice late last month, to extend boosters to all adults under 40.
The JCVI also said people should be able to get their booster just three months after their second dose, rather than the fivemonth minimum gap it previously recommended.
As people can book their booster up to a month ahead, it means from tomorrow some 3.5million people
‘Some have already received an invitation’
in their 30s will be able to book to have their booster between now and mid-January.
Most of the remaining four million are likely to receive their invitation to book ahead over the coming weeks.
However, some have already received an invitation and are getting jabbed imminently.
One 30-year-old from Clapham, South London, said: ‘I got a text from Lambeth Hubs inviting me for my jab yesterday and I’m having it tomorrow. It’s been remarkably quick.’
The booster jab text reads: ‘You will have enhanced protection against Covid during the winter months and reduce pressure on the NHS. This also means you can enjoy Christmas with your loved ones and reduce the risk of Covid transmission to others.’
As the message implies, public health bosses want to get boosters into younger arms to stop the virus spreading into older, more vulnerable age groups.
Latest government data shows the number of Covid cases in those aged 30 to 39 across England increased 14 per cent in the last week. By comparison, Covid rates are still flat or even dropping in older age groups. Health officials are particularly concerned about London, where Omicron cases are starting to take off and a larger proportion of the population is not fully vaccinated.
Yesterday, Government sources said they believed the new, highlytransmissible variant could already be making up 30 per cent of new cases in the capital.
Covid case rates among Londoners in the 20s – who are unlikely to be invited for boosters until after Christmas – have doubled in the last week, adding to concerns Omicron is starting a new surge.
Dr Emily Lawson, head of the NHS Covid vaccination programme in England, said: ‘With the emergence of the new variant and the rising case numbers, there has never been a more important time to get boosted.’
Most under-40s have yet to be invited for boosters in Scotland and Northern Ireland, while some are receiving them in Wales.