UK Health Secretary announces booster vaccinations for certain groups in spring

United Kingdom Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid has said today (Monday 21 February), following updated advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, COVID-19 booster vaccinations are to be offered

In a statement the Health Secretary said:

“Thanks to our COVID-19 vaccination rollout, we are already the freest country in Europe. It has saved countless lives, reduced pressure on the NHS and is allowing us to learn to live with the virus.

“Today I have accepted the advice from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to offer, from spring, an additional COVID-19 booster jab to people aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and people aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed.

“All four parts of the UK intend to follow the JCVI’s advice.

“Following the JCVI’s advice, I have asked the NHS to prepare to offer those eligible a vaccine from around six months after their last dose and they will set out further details in due course.

“We know immunity to COVID-19 begins to wane over time. That’s why we’re offering a spring booster to those people at higher risk of serious COVID-19 to make sure they maintain a high level of protection. It’s important that everyone gets their top-up jabs as soon as they’re eligible.

“The JCVI will keep under review whether the booster programme should be extended to further at-risk groups.

“This is a national mission – the vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones and I urge everybody to get your jabs as soon as you can. For anyone who is yet to get a booster, come forward to Get Boosted Now.”

Speaking after the announcement, the head of Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme, Patricia Donnelly said:

"COVID-19 has now been with us for two years and we know that it has disproportionately affected a number of groups including; older adults, residents in care homes and those with certain underlying health conditions. We can also see from the evidence that the booster programme introduced in September 2021 has provided high levels of protection against severe disease. The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency has indicated that while protection against mild infection appears to wane, protection against severe illness and hospitalisation is well maintained in older adults, underlining the importance of the booster, particularly for vulnerable groups.

“The latest advice from the JCVI will help us transition to the next phase of our programme and enable us to put operational plans in place for 2022 and onwards so that we can continue to offer the vaccination and the protection it provides to those most at risk from the virus at the most appropriate time.”

JCVI has also published interim guidance on a potential autumn vaccination programme for people who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19; such as those of older age and in clinical risk groups. In publishing the interim advice, the JCVI has acknowledged that while there are uncertainties for the year ahead it is likely that the threat from COVID will be highest during winter and the advice is being provided at this stage for operational purposes.

NI’s vaccination programme is based on JCVI advice. JCVI is advising that a Spring dose, around six months after the last vaccine dose, should be offered to:

• adults aged 75 years and over, and residents in a care home for older adults

• individuals aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed