Rollout of booster vaccinations picks up the pace

Number of top-up jabs hits new peak as ministers look at changing definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ for travel

A RECORD number of booster Covid vaccinations were recorded in England on Saturday as it emerged the definition of “fully vaccinated” for foreign travel could change in the new year. Some 371,339 top-up jabs were administered, according to NHS England, which is 12 per cent higher than the existing record daily high at the end of last month.

It means more than 10 million people have now had their third Covid vaccination, with the Government still attempting to do more to encourage people to take up the offer.

People over 50 and those most at risk from Covid-19 are allowed to get the top-up jabs, given evidence that immunity to the virus wanes more quickly in older people. From today those eligible will be able to pre-book their jab five months after their second dose. They can take the booster shot six months after their second jab.

The Mail on Sunday yesterday reported that government ministers are considering changing the definition of “fully vaccinated” from two doses to three for international travel.

It would mean that people who were eligible for three jabs but had declined to take up the offer could face periods of quarantine and Covid tests when they return from abroad. Downing Street sources confirmed the idea is being looked at but cautioned it was “unlikely” any changes would be adopted before Christmas.

No 10 wants to avoid creating a “two tier” system that could be complicated and punish those who may have legitimate reasons for not taking a booster vaccination. Research is under way into the approach in other countries towards top-up vaccinations, with any travel rule changes not wishing to penalise nations that have not gone down that path. It is also likely the rule change would only apply to people who are eligible for top-up vaccinations rather than all adults.

Dr Susan Hopkins, the chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, issued a renewed public call for people to have booster jabs yesterday.

In an interview on the BBC’S Andrew Marr Show, she said 60 per cent of the population that is eligible for a third jab had taken up the offer but admitted the rollout had not been as quick as the initial Covid jabs.

Dr Hopkins also warned that older people who are double-jabbed are dying of the virus because they have not taken up the offer of a booster.

She said: “Increasingly, because of immune-waning effects, there are deaths in the vaccinated group.”

Holidaymakers face being locked out of ski destinations because the NHS app does not record booster vaccinations. Travel chiefs warned that the omission could lead to those seeking winter snow being denied access to countries which now require three jabs unless the NHS updates its app to include booster jabs.