Millions of people in the UK will receive a Covid booster jab this autumn as the NHS rolls out the next stage of its vaccination programme. All adults over 50, NHS staff and people who are clinically vulnerable are among those eligible for the coronavirus booster.
The Department of Health has announced that a new Covid-19 jab made by Moderna, which targets both the original strain of the virus and the Omicron variant, will be offered as part of the programme. On Monday, August 15, the UK became the first nation to authorise the new bivalent vaccine, described as “next generation” by experts.
Known as mRNA-1273.214, the dose is an updated version of the Moderna vaccine which is already in use for first, second and booster doses. Moderna’s chief medical officer, Dr Paul Burton, previously said that the new jab can boost a person’s antibodies to such high levels that it may only be needed annually.
