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Prime ministers

UK Expands Vaccine Booster Program Amid Rising COVID-19 Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Monday of a "blizzard" of new coronavirus infections coming into the U.K. from continental Europe as his government extended the vaccine booster program to younger people in an effort to keep a lid on the pandemic during the winter months. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, the independent body of scientists that makes vaccine recommendations to the British government, said people aged 40 to 49 will also be eligible for a vaccine booster shot six months after their initial shot.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization has recommended that people aged 40 to 49 be eligible for a vaccine booster shot six months after their initial shot.
  • The committee also approved second doses for 16 and 17-year-olds 12 weeks after their first shot.
  • The broadening of the booster campaign and the offer of a second jab to older teens will "help extend our protection into 2022."
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to get their booster to get the extra level of protection amid growing concerns of the virus outlook in Europe.
  • Johnson noted that there was nothing currently in the data that suggested a need to increase restrictions in England, which has maintained a relatively low level of infections despite a recent uptick.
  • The UK has recorded more than 260,000 confirmed infections over the past week, up 6% on the previous week.
  • A new study from the UK Health Security showed adults over 50 had at least 93% reduced risk of getting a symptomatic case of COVID-19 two weeks after their booster.

Statistics:

  • Over the past week, there have been more than 260,000 confirmed infections, up 6% on the previous week.
  • The number of people in hospital with the virus is around 8,500, which though high is far down on the near 40,000 in January.
  • Virus-related deaths are at around 150 a day.
  • So far, 75% of people over 70 have received a booster shot.

Sources:

  • AP news wire
  • UK Health Security study
  • Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI)

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