Sajid Javid ‘confident’ Covid boosters can start from September despite no official decision

By Claire Schofield
Published 20th Aug 2021, 11:59 BST
The booster programme is still awaiting recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) (Photo: Getty Images)The booster programme is still awaiting recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) (Photo: Getty Images)
The booster programme is still awaiting recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) (Photo: Getty Images)

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said he is “confident” a Covid-19 vaccine booster campaign can start from September, despite no official decision being made.

The rollout is still awaiting recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which is still debating whether the third vaccine doses are needed.

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When could the booster programme start?

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NHS plans are in place for the rollout of the booster jabs from 6 September, alongside flu vaccines, but the programme is yet to officially be given the green light.

The JCVI met on Thursday (19 August) to discuss the potential for a third jab to be given to people who might “really need” it.

Committee member Professor Adam Finn said a decision on the rollout is imminent and those who are “very unlikely to be well protected by those first two doses” will need a booster.

His comments on a wider rollout were echoed by fellow government adviser, Professor Peter Openshaw, who said further evidence is needed on any benefits booster jabs might bring.