Oxford-jab chief criticises UK’s Covid booster plan

Posted: August 16th 2021

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I’d love to know what this story means for rural areas where our disproportionately high cohort of older residents in rural settings. This story tells us:

Health Secretary Sajid Javid says he has already put plans in place to give the most vulnerable groups a third or booster Covid jab early next month.

But the head of the Oxford Vaccine Group said doses needed to "go where they can have the greatest impact" - to protect unvaccinated people abroad.

The UK itself currently had no reason to panic, Prof Sir Andrew Pollard said.

Mr Javid said he would wait for final advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

"My plan is to offer the flu vaccine, especially to over-50s, at the same time," he said.

A bigger flu season than normal is expected, with scientists warning respiratory viruses will make a comeback this year after disappearing last year during lockdown.

NHS bosses had previously said they needed lots of warning of a Covid booster programme in order to plan the logistics of vaccinating millions of people against both viruses.