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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Kate Lally

Covid boosters offered to thousands more people as new variants spread

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced thousands more people will be offered a covid booster and flu jab this autumn.

This is a change from previous guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which recommended that those older than 65 be offered the vaccinations. It comes after the committee considered the spread of the BA.4 and BA.5 variants, as well as the benefits of combining the booster rollout with the flu vaccine rollout.

Experts hope expanding the offer will provide necessary protection to those at higher risk of severe illness and keep greater numbers of people out of hospital. Others who will be eligible for a further dose include residents in a care home for older adults and staff, frontline health and social care workers and those aged five to 49 in a clinical risk group - including pregnant women.

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