A fourth dose of the Covid vaccine is near for many as the government prepares to embark on another roll-out. Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted today that another booster is on the horizon - "because we'll need it." Speaking at Tory Spring Conference in Blackpool, the PM praised the British people for coming forward in huge numbers to be vaccinated.
He said: "It was because they wanted to get on with their lives. They were fed up with being told what to do. I hope you've all had your boosters. We're getting ready for a fourth jab, because we're going to need it." Earlier reports suggested the fourth Covid-19 vaccination jabs could be offered as early as next week.
Last month saw the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended extra boosters for over-75s. It is over six months since third shots were launched and NHS England has yet to offer fourth doses. Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has called for “more oomph on fourth jabs".
An NHS England spokesman said: “The NHS will be vaccinating eligible people with a spring dose six months after their first booster, starting later this month for the small number of people eligible before April.” Covid cases have risen by half in the last week with around 70,000 positive tests a day. Scotland began rolling out the jabs to over-75s over a week ago.
