The rollout of the UK’s dual-strain Covid vaccine is ready to begin on 5 September, the NHS has introduced, because it prepares to offer boosters to hundreds of thousands of Britons forward of winter.
Some 26 million persons are to be supplied a Covid jab as a part of the autumn booster programme, together with all over-50s and people with compromised immune methods.
Care dwelling residents and people who find themselves housebound will likely be vaccinated first through the week of 5 September, earlier than the rollout is widened to the over-75s and people inclined to critical sickness within the following week.
Moderna’s dual-strain vaccine, which provides safety towards the unique Covid virus which emerged in Wuhan and the Omicron variant, is predicted to be administered to half of these eligible for a booster.
The NHS stated it would supply the so-called ‘bivalent’ vaccine to individuals the place acceptable and topic to enough provide being made obtainable to the well being service.
The generic Pfizer and Moderna vaccines may even be supplied as a booster, together with the Novavax jab in distinctive circumstances, in accordance with the UK Health Security Agency.
As many as 3,000 websites are anticipated to be a part of the rollout, together with GP practices and group pharmacies, the NHS stated.
People will likely be contacted when it’s their flip to e-book an appointment for a booster. Eligible people could also be supplied the flu and Covid jab on the identical time, with the doses authorized to be co-administered.
Amanda Pritchard, chief government of the NHS, stated: “Our fantastic NHS staff have worked incredibly hard to deliver 126 million doses to date and behind the scenes, they have once again been preparing to deliver the latest phase with the same speed and precision as we have had throughout the rollout.
“When the time comes, I would strongly encourage anyone who is invited to take up both an autumn booster and flu jab, to do so as quickly as possible — it will give you maximum protection this winter.”
All over-50s and frontline well being employees will likely be supplied a booster jab, as will these aged 5 to 49 who’re deemed clinically at-risk, together with pregnant girls, and family contacts of individuals with compromised immune methods.
For individuals aged 75 and over, this will likely be their fifth Covid jab, having already acquired a spring booster. For the over-50s, it will likely be the fourth dose.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has stated it would overview the usage of any further vaccines that are redesigned to focus on a number of types of the Covid virus.
Pfizer is within the strategy of reformulating its present vaccine to focus on the Omicron variant.
Steve Russell, NHS director for vaccinations and screening, stated: “This winter will be the first time we see the real effects of both covid and flu in full circulation as we go about life as normal – and so it is vital that those most susceptible to serious illness from these viruses come forward for the latest jab in order to protect themselves.”
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