UK plans boosters for over 50s ahead of ‘bumpy’ winter

THIRD SHOT ALSO EYED FOR VULNERABLE AND SOME HEALTH STAFF

Britain will begin a broad-based Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for those older and more vulnerable adults soon as Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government relies on vaccines rather than further lockdowns to navigate a “bumpy” winter.

British officials said that Covid-19 vaccines have saved more than 112,000 lives and averted 24 million cases of the disease as they recommended all vulnerable people, front line health staff and those aged over 50 be offered a booster shot, starting with the oldest and most vulnerable.

Johnson hopes that the booster programme will mean that hospitals can bear the burden of winter without the need for another lockdown.

Plan B

But health minister Sajid Javid said a “Plan B”, involving mandatory vaccine certificates in some settings, mandatory mask wearing and asking people to work from home, was being held in reserve. Vaccinations for health workers were likely to be made compulsory, he said.

“Booster doses are an important way of keeping the virus under control for the long term,” Javid told parliament, saying the programme would begin next week.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JVCI) recommendation of a third dose six months after a second shot, paves the way for a broad revaccination programme in Britain.

AFP Crowds of people walk along Columbia Road flower market in East London on Sunday. The UK ■ government has dropped a plan to make people in England show vaccine passports to enter crowded events such as nightclubs, the health minister said Sunday.