Statements from the Health and Social Care Secretary and Deputy
Chief Medical Officer following the advice from the Joint
Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to offer people
with severely weakened immune systems a third dose of a COVID-19
vaccine.
Health and Social Care Secretary
said:
“Today I have accepted the expert recommendations from the
independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to
offer a third vaccine dose to people aged 12 and over with
severely weakened immune systems as part of their primary
schedule following data from trials of those who are
immunosuppressed.
“We know people with specific conditions that make them
particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 may have received less
protection against the virus from two vaccine doses. I am
determined to ensure we are doing all we can to protect people in
this group and a third dose will help deliver that.
“The NHS will contact people as soon as possible to discuss their
needs and arrange an appointment for a third dose where
clinically appropriate.
“This is not the start of the booster programme – we are
continuing to plan for this to begin in September to ensure the
protection people have built from vaccines is maintained over
time and ahead of the winter. We will prioritise those most at
risk to COVID-19, including those who are eligible for a third
primary vaccine, for boosters based on the final advice of the
JCVI.
“COVID-19 vaccines have saved more than 105,000 lives and
prevented 24 million infections in England alone. They are
building a wall of defence and are the best way to protect people
from serious illness. I encourage everybody who is eligible to
get their jabs as soon as they can.”
Documents
Joint Committee on
Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice on third primary dose
vaccination
See also:
