Adults who received their covid jab in October may have waning immunity from the virus
Vulnerable people and those aged 75 and over will be offered a fourth covid jab, the Health Secretary announced on Monday.
The rollout is expected to begin this Spring, following a recommendation by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
It comes after adults who received their booster jab in September and October were found to have weakening immunity to the virus.
More than seven million people who are deemed to be more vulnerable to the threat of covid will be offered the jab.
Sajid Javid accepted the advice from the JCVI on Monday afternoon, announcing that the additional booster jab will be offered 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 nations are expected to follow the advice for a fourth jab.
In a statement, the Health Secretary said that following the JCVI's advice he has 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".
He continued: “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."
Javid said the vaccines had already saved countless lives, reduced pressure on the NHS, and was allowing the UK to learn to live with the virus.
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