5 million to receive Covid-19 booster jab this month

According to research from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) cases of Covid-19 have hit their highest level since the beginning of the year, prompting authorities to begin offering booster jabs for the most vulnerable.

The ONS, using the latest available figures, have estimated that 1.7 million people in private households in the UK are likely to have had Covid-19 in the week ending the 13^th March 2023. Additionally, hospital admissions for people who have contacted the virus.

However, due to the UK government’s plan to live with coronavirus they have recently announced plans to stop regular, lateral flow testing and axed the ONS weekly case updates. This has prompted dismay among virologists as they have warned that it could leave the UK ‘fighting blind’ against Covid-19.

Beginning this week, millions of people will, for the first time, be invited to get their spring booster via the NHS app, with others being sent text messages and letters asking them to book an appointment from Wednesday 5^th April.

Those eligible for the vaccine top-up include people aged 75 and over, and anyone aged over five who is immune-suppressed.

Steve Russell, the NHS director of Vaccinations and Screening, said: ‘As a society, we are learning to live with Covid-19 but, for many, it is still a virus that can cause serious illness and hospitalisation, and so it is still really important that those at greatest risk come forward and boost their protection in the coming weeks.

‘There are still around 8,000 people in hospital with Covid-19, according to the latest data, and the NHS has now treated more than a million Covid-19 inpatients since the pandemic began.

‘So if you are over 75 or you have a weakened immune system, please come forward as soon as possible to book a Covid-19 vaccine this spring, so you can enjoy summer with peace of mind.’

The offer for anyone to get a first Covid-19 jab will end on 30^th June, with more targeted seasonal campaigns likely to take place in the future.

Earlier this year, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said the sprig booster campaign could include vaccination with the Pfizer, Moderna, and Sanofi/GSK jabs. The Novavax jab will be available for use only when the alternatives are not considered clinically suitable.

Children under 12 will be offered a children’s formulation of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, however the vaccine people will receive will depend on local supply, with the jab delivered at around 3,000 sites across England, mostly by pharmacies and GPs.

Image: Hakan Nural