“Booster vaccinations are being considered for all adults, the Health Secretary has said, as seven million over-40s are now eligible to book the jab. Sajid Javid said he has asked the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to assess offering the extra dose to all over-18s. From Monday, people aged 40 to 49 will be able to book their Covid booster jab through the NHS National Booking Service. There are around 7.1 million 40 to 49-year-olds living in England. Currently, almost 500,000 of those had their second dose at least six month ago, making them immediately eligible to get their booster. More than one million 40 to 49-year-olds will be able to pre-book their appointments from Monday.” – Daily Telegraph
Coronavirus 2)… as he dismisses compulsory jabs for the UK
“Britain will never consider compulsory vaccines, Sajid Javid has said. After Austria became the first European country to make vaccines mandatory, the health secretary said: “I don’t think that is something we would ever look at.” He told Andrew Marr on the BBC: “It is up to Austria, other countries, to decide what they need to do. We are fortunate that in this country, although we have vaccine hesitancy, it is a lot lower than we are seeing in other places.” He added: “On a practical level, taking a vaccine should be a positive choice. It should be something, if people are a bit reluctant, we should work with them and encourage them.” Germany is debating whether to follow Austria, with fines to enforce the mandate. The three parties that hope to form the next government under Olaf Scholz are believed to be planning to force workers in certain areas, such as hospitals and care homes, to get the jab.” – The Times
- British lockdown is unlikely before Christmas, say scientists – The Times
- Ministers fail to act on anti-vaxxer crowds at school gates as they refuse to implement exclusion zones – Daily Mail