Millions to get the booster & flu shot
BOOSTER shots are likely to be offered to millions at the same time as the flu vaccine as health officials draw up plans to immunise as many people as possible before winter.
Over-50s and those at most at risk from Covid are already eligible for a booster six months after their second dose.
But officials are now finalising plans to offer the shot to all adults who qualify for a free flu vaccine.
The move would give millions more a third dose this winter, including those with mild and moderate asthma and other underlying health conditions who currently do not qualify for a booster.
Ten million have now received top-up jabs and three million more invites go out this week.
But two in five over-50s have still not had the extra dose.
Insiders say Department of Health chiefs are spooked about the prospect of a fourth wave of the virus, which the current scenario faced by Canada, Egypt and most of Europe.
One government insider said: “The news coming in from abroad has really spooked people. Although Canada looks like they have ridden out the worst of it, Egypt has been hit hard and the Germans are worried.
“At the moment the booster is for older people or those with a high-risk health condition.
“But we’ve got a lot of excess vaccines so it makes sense to offer them to people who are going to be coming in for flu jabs anyway.”
Insiders say Downing Street is also worried that any adverse effects of the virus on Christmas festivities will damage the Tory government in the polls.
Yesterday’s UK figures on the disease were encouraging.
Recorded infections were 30,693 – a drop of 25% on last Saturday’s 41,278. And 155 deaths were down nearly 7% on 166 last Saturday. Latest hospitalisation figures were also down by 3%.
But some health experts are still calling for the Government to implement Plan B – a return to working from home and compulsory masks.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: “The Government needs to recognise clearly that we are facing a very, very difficult winter.”