Covid booster jabs to be given 'a month earlier' amid fears of winter surge

The NHS is to invite people for Covid booster jabs five months after they have had their second dose form next week in a change from the current six months, it is reported

Covid booster jabs are to be given out a month earlier by the NHS from next month

Covid booster jabs are reportedly to be given out a month earlier by the NHS from next month (

Image: Getty Images)

Brits are to receive booster jabs a month earlier in a bid to speed up the delivery and tackle high infection rates heading into what could may be a “problematic” winter, it is reported.

With fears that the UK could face another winter with high Covid cases, the government has moved to try and protect the elderly and vulnerable.

From next week the NHS will reportedly be giving out invites for a Covid booster five months after a second dose instead of six months in order to have the date in advance.

It will still mean that the booster is given out after six months from the second dose which is considered to be the optimum moment by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Covid cases have dropped this week but they remain high
(

Image:

Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)

A Whitehall source told The Sun : “We want to get boosters into as many arms as possible this winter, which is why we’re going to allow people to book earlier.”

Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer in England, said that the booster scheme had “considerable momentum” but Christmas could be “problematic”.

He was positive at the drop in Covid cases which are 6% down on last week at 41,299 but pointed out the rise in deaths to 217 and hospital patients which was up to 9,517.

A week ago there were 207 deaths and 43,941 cases announced, while a fortnight ago there were 179 deaths and 49,139 infections.

Prof Jonathan Van-Tam has said the UK is set for a “problematic” winter
(

Image:

REUTERS)

Prof Van Tam said face masks should still be worn in pubs and restaurants.

He warned: “Too many people believe that this pandemic is now over.”

This is despite large amounts of evidence that it stops transmission of the coronavirus, and the UK’s relatively high case and death rate.

The popular Government scientist was being questioned as part of a joint broadcast on BBC Breakfast and Radio 5Live.

Asked how a Christmas lockdown can be prevented, Prof Van-Tam, said: “Christmas, and indeed all of the darker winter months, are potentially going to be problematic.