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 The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's recommendation
of a third dose, to be given six months after a second shot, paves
the way for a broad revaccination programme in Britain.
"The main aim of the booster programme is to prolong that protection
and reduce serious disease as we head towards the colder months,"
said the JCVI's Professor Wei Shen Lim.
The advice comes ahead of a media conference later on Tuesday when
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will detail the government's winter
strategy with a warning that the battle against the virus was not
over.
The government has already indicated it would scrap plans for
vaccine passports to be required to get into nightclubs, end some of
its emergency COVID powers and use lockdowns only as a last resort.
Instead, Johnson will lean on vaccines and testing to try and
contain COVID-19 heading into autumn and winter.
"The pandemic is far from over, but thanks to our phenomenal vaccine
programme, new treatments and testing we are able to live with the
virus without significant restrictions on our freedoms," Johnson
said in a statement.
"Today I will set out a clear plan for the autumn and winter, when
the virus has a natural advantage, to protect the gains we have
made."
Britain has recorded 134,000 COVID-19 deaths, and more than 7
million cases. So far 44 million people have had two vaccine doses,
81 percent of those aged over 16. On Monday, the government said
those aged 12 to 15 would also be offered shots.
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 Johnson scrapped the last coronavirus
restrictions in England in July, citing the more
favourable conditions of the school summer
holidays as he eyed what he characterised as a
"return to normal". The JCVI had
already given interim advice that elderly and vulnerable people
would be the priority for any booster programme, and that it could
start in September.
It said its preference was that the Pfizer vaccine was used for the
booster dose, or alternatively a half-dose of a Moderna shot.
Britain ordered 60 million additional Pfizer doses for the booster
programme in April.
Meanwhile, some leading scientists, including from the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration and World Health Organisation, in an article in
the Lancet medical journal on Monday said COVID-19 boosters are not
yet needed https://www.reuters.com/world/us/covid-19-vaccine-boosters-not-widely-needed-top-fda-who-scientists-say-2021-09-13
for the general population.
(Reporting by Alistair SmoutEditing by Bill Berkrot and Philippa
Fletcher)
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