Millions of elderly and vulnerable people will be offered another Covid jab from the Spring.
A second booster jab has been recommended for 7.2 million over-75s by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Another dose will also be offered to around 500,000 vulnerable people, such as those with chronic long term conditions which require drugs which suppress the immune system.
Some of these people have already had four doses as they did not produce a robust immune response to their first two.
For this smaller group they will be eligible for a fifth dose from the Spring.
The news comes as Boris Johnson was due to confirm self isolation rules will be axed as part of his strategy to live with the virus.
Anyone eligible can come forward to get another vaccine regardless of whether they have had three or four doses - as long as there has been a six month gap since their last jab.
Vaccine experts are also planning for a wider booster programme for more of the population in the autumn.
The JCVI said it will confirm which sections of the population would qualify for this nearer the time.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has accepted the recommendations as a “precautionary strategy to maintain high levels of immunity”.
An extra spring dose is advised around six months after the last vaccine dose for over-75s, those living in an elderly care home and around half a million people aged over 12 who are immunosuppressed.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chair of COVID-19 vaccination on the JCVI, said: "Last year’s booster vaccination programme has so far provided excellent protection against severe Covid-19.
“To maintain high levels of protection for the most vulnerable individuals in the population, an extra spring dose of vaccine is advised ahead of an expected autumn booster programme later this year.
“The JCVI will continue its rolling review of the vaccination programme and the epidemiological situation, particularly in relation to the timing and value of doses for less vulnerable older adults and those in clinical risk groups ahead of autumn 2022.”
Anyone aged over 18 eligible for fourth doses will be offered either Pfizer or Moderna jabs. Those aged 12 to 18 will be offered Pfizer.
It is not clear yet whether the JCVI will advise that the whole population will be offered a fourth dose as this will be confirmed over the summer.
It may be offered to similar groups who are eligible for the flu jab.
The autumn booster expansion may also include new, as yet unapproved, vaccines which could target new variants.
Mr Javid said: "Following the JCVI’s advice, I have 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.
"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.”
