Proof that boosters can avert a disaster

HOPES were raised last night that Britain could avoid a winter health crisis as data from Israel shows booster jabs can significantly reduce cases and hospitalisations.

The country, which has led the way in vaccinations, rolled out boosters when immunity from the first two jabs began to wane in the summer.

Almost half of its population has now been given a third shot and last week, hospitalisations had halved compared to the previous month.

Cases also dropped to 1,200 – around five times lower than in September.

It will come as welcome news to

Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who is increasing efforts to ramp up the booster programme. Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS, yesterday revealed that Saturday was the busiest day for Covid booster jabs, with more than 325,000 patients receiving their third dose.

But take-up of booster doses has been slow. Those eligible currently include only the over-50s and those who are immunocompromised. And patients need to wait for six months after their last dose. But in a bid to speed up the programme, NHS chiefs will now allow eligible patients to book their third jab a month earlier.

It comes as figures released yesterday reveal another 39,962 cases and 72 deaths from Covid.

Meanwhile, Mr Javid is looking to make getting the jab a ‘condition of employment’ for NHS staff – but there are fears it could spark a backlash.

The Department of Health said those eligible for a booster ‘should book as soon as they are invited’. It added that more than 5million booster jabs have been administered in England.