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UK Covid live: Tory MPs urge PM to rethink ‘deeply troubling’ plan to vaccinate 12- to 15-year-olds UK Covid live: Sajid Javid sets out autumn and winter coronavirus plan
(30 minutes later)
Latest updates: Tory resistance to plan to offer Covid jabs to 12- to 15-year-olds comes booster jabs for over-50s announced Latest updates: follow all the UK politics news and developments
Javid says the link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths has “weakened significantly” since the start of the pandemic.
He says there are five pillars to the winter plan.
First, the government will strengthen its “pharmaceutical defences” by doing more to get people vaccinated. It will renew efforts to get people vaccinated.
Second, it will launch a vaccine booster vaccine programme. He summarises this morning’s advice from the JCVI, and he says he has accepted it. The NHS will offer booster doses from next week, he says.
Javid starts by offering his condolences to Boris Johnson following the death of his mother.
Sajid Javid, the health secretary, is about to make a statement to MPs about Covid. He is expected to confirm the plan for booster vaccine, and to give other details of the winter plan.
Boris Johnson will be giving his press conference on the same topic at 3.30pm.
Here are the three slides presented at the start of the booster jabs briefing.
Prof Wei Shen Lim, chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said that this first slide only went up to September 2021 because data was not available to measure protection lasting beyond that point.
Q: If someone chooses not to get a booster vaccine, will you say they are not fully vaccinated? And does that mean they would not count as fully vaccinated in any Covid status scheme.
Van-Tam says there has been no discussion about boosters in terms of Covid certification.
As a scientist, he would view someone as not having “optimal protection” if they had not had a booster, he says.
But he says he cannot say what ministers might decide in terms of how this relates to Covid passports.
And that’s it. The briefing is over.
Q: Are you worried about being sucked into a situation where you are always taking the precautionary approach and giving booster vaccines?
Lim says that is an important question. But over time they expect to get better data about how long vaccine effectiveness lasts, he says.
He says it is also possible that the third dose will extend the time protection lasts.
And they do not know how natural infection might top up the immunity offered by vaccines, he says.
Van-Tam says he agrees.
Today’s advice is for this winter only, he says. He says the government will keep asking the JCVI to come back to this until the Covid situation returns to normality.
Van-Tam says the protection offered by initial vaccines is more important than the protection offered by booster vaccines.
He says the vaccine offer is an evergreen one; people can still come forward.
Lim says, as a clinician, he sees people in hospital with Covid who have not been vaccinated. It is heartbreaking, he says.
Q: Are you confident that supply of the flu and Covid vaccines won’t be affected by transport delays?
Van-Tam says there was an issue with the supply of flu vaccine from one manufacturer. But he says he has no concerns about the supply of Covid vaccines.
Q: Where will booster vaccines be delivered?Q: Where will booster vaccines be delivered?
Van-Tam says this needs to start quickly. The NHS has been planning for this for months. He says they do not have ministerial approval yet. But once they do, he says he expects the NHS to be able to start “in a short number of days, not a short number of weeks”.Van-Tam says this needs to start quickly. The NHS has been planning for this for months. He says they do not have ministerial approval yet. But once they do, he says he expects the NHS to be able to start “in a short number of days, not a short number of weeks”.
He says he would expect people to get booster vaccines either at mass vaccination centres or at GP surgeries.He says he would expect people to get booster vaccines either at mass vaccination centres or at GP surgeries.
Van-Tam says, if there is good uptake, the booster programme will make “a very substantial impact” in terms of allowing the government to “keep the lid on things” and to reduce pressure on the NHS.Van-Tam says, if there is good uptake, the booster programme will make “a very substantial impact” in terms of allowing the government to “keep the lid on things” and to reduce pressure on the NHS.
Q: What do you say to scientists who say this booster campaign undermines global vaccine equity?Q: What do you say to scientists who say this booster campaign undermines global vaccine equity?
Van-Tam says as public health people they take a very strong view that the whole world should have access to vaccines. Until everyone is safe, nobody is safe.Van-Tam says as public health people they take a very strong view that the whole world should have access to vaccines. Until everyone is safe, nobody is safe.
But he says they also have to decide what is best for the UK.But he says they also have to decide what is best for the UK.
Nine countries have said they are starting some form of booster campaign, and 18 others are considering it, he says.Nine countries have said they are starting some form of booster campaign, and 18 others are considering it, he says.
So the UK is not alone, he says.So the UK is not alone, he says.
Q: The decrease in vaccine effectiveness seems really small. So why are you going ahead with this?Q: The decrease in vaccine effectiveness seems really small. So why are you going ahead with this?
Lim says a drop in effectiveness from 90% to 80% may not seem like much, but it could lead to a doubling in the number of people being admitted to hospital.Lim says a drop in effectiveness from 90% to 80% may not seem like much, but it could lead to a doubling in the number of people being admitted to hospital.
If they can protect the NHS, they will save lives, he says.If they can protect the NHS, they will save lives, he says.
Van-Tam says by January protection will have waned further. But they don’t know by how much.Van-Tam says by January protection will have waned further. But they don’t know by how much.
The brief from ministers has been to do the most possible to prevent deaths and illness from Covid, he says.The brief from ministers has been to do the most possible to prevent deaths and illness from Covid, he says.
He says if there is going to be a storm, it is better to make your tent secure in advance. It is better to be pre-emptive, and to prepare and plan for the worst eventualities.He says if there is going to be a storm, it is better to make your tent secure in advance. It is better to be pre-emptive, and to prepare and plan for the worst eventualities.
UPDATE: Here is the quote in full.UPDATE: Here is the quote in full.
They are now taking questions.They are now taking questions.
Q: What might happen in the future? Will AstraZeneca be used?Q: What might happen in the future? Will AstraZeneca be used?
Lim says he cannot say. He would not want to exclude any option at this point.Lim says he cannot say. He would not want to exclude any option at this point.
Q: When will double jabs start, flu and Covid?Q: When will double jabs start, flu and Covid?
Van-Tam says double jabs can start now, provided the product is available.Van-Tam says double jabs can start now, provided the product is available.
He says the MHRA has said there is no problem with double jabs.He says the MHRA has said there is no problem with double jabs.
But it may not always be possible to co-administer both vaccines in patients.But it may not always be possible to co-administer both vaccines in patients.
Flu vaccines are administered quickly. But Covid jabs required a 15-minute waiting period. This means administering both at the same time might be difficult, he says.Flu vaccines are administered quickly. But Covid jabs required a 15-minute waiting period. This means administering both at the same time might be difficult, he says.
In the future it is possible that one jab might be able to administer both vaccines, he says.In the future it is possible that one jab might be able to administer both vaccines, he says.
Van-Tam says today’s recommendation from the JCVI has to be approved by ministers.Van-Tam says today’s recommendation from the JCVI has to be approved by ministers.
But if ministers do agree, it will be “full speed ahead”, but in a “purposeful way”, he says.But if ministers do agree, it will be “full speed ahead”, but in a “purposeful way”, he says.
Lim says today’s advice does not mean there will be a recurrent programme of booster vaccines every six months.Lim says today’s advice does not mean there will be a recurrent programme of booster vaccines every six months.
Further advice will be offered in the future when the country reaches a “steady state” with Covid infections, he says.Further advice will be offered in the future when the country reaches a “steady state” with Covid infections, he says.
He says the advice also does not mean that everyone will need a booster dose. Younger people may not need one, he says.He says the advice also does not mean that everyone will need a booster dose. Younger people may not need one, he says.
And he says the booster programme does not mean that other vaccine programmes are not important. In particular, flu vaccines remain important, he says. He strongly urges people to get it.And he says the booster programme does not mean that other vaccine programmes are not important. In particular, flu vaccines remain important, he says. He strongly urges people to get it.
If people have both vaccines on the same day, that will be safe, he says. Usually they would have the vaccines in different arms.If people have both vaccines on the same day, that will be safe, he says. Usually they would have the vaccines in different arms.
Lim says there is a preference for using mRNA vaccines - Pfizer or Moderna - for the booster vaccines.Lim says there is a preference for using mRNA vaccines - Pfizer or Moderna - for the booster vaccines.
He says an mRNA booster will give a very good response, regardless of what people had first.He says an mRNA booster will give a very good response, regardless of what people had first.
He says the Pfizer vaccine is the preferred option because of its simplicity and because it is well tolerated.He says the Pfizer vaccine is the preferred option because of its simplicity and because it is well tolerated.
But a half dose of Moderna could also be used, he says. That is because a half dose works very well, he says.But a half dose of Moderna could also be used, he says. That is because a half dose works very well, he says.
Lim says the data suggests there is a small decrease in vaccine effectiveness over time.Lim says the data suggests there is a small decrease in vaccine effectiveness over time.
He says the most marked decrease in protection occurs in older people and in people with underlying health conditions.He says the most marked decrease in protection occurs in older people and in people with underlying health conditions.
He says the JCVI is advising that adults who are more vulnerable should be offered a booster vaccine.He says the JCVI is advising that adults who are more vulnerable should be offered a booster vaccine.
These will be people who were covered by phase one of the vaccine programme - all adults over 50 and over, plus those with underlying health conditions that put them at risk, as well as health and social care workers.These will be people who were covered by phase one of the vaccine programme - all adults over 50 and over, plus those with underlying health conditions that put them at risk, as well as health and social care workers.
He says boosters should be given no earlier than six months after the second dose.He says boosters should be given no earlier than six months after the second dose.
And booster vaccines should be given in the same order as original doses, he says.And booster vaccines should be given in the same order as original doses, he says.
He says a longer interval to a third booster dose may be beneficial.He says a longer interval to a third booster dose may be beneficial.
But they do not want to wait too long either, he says.But they do not want to wait too long either, he says.
They are looking for a “sweet spot” - which is why they are saying not before six months after the second dose.They are looking for a “sweet spot” - which is why they are saying not before six months after the second dose.
Van-Tam says Raine will start by discussing the licensing of booster vaccines, and Lim will then discuss the programme.
Raine says the MHRA wants to ensure that existing vaccines can continue to be used.
She says MHRA has concluded that AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna can be given as booster vaccine.
And it has concluded that giving booster vaccines at the same time as flu vaccines is safe.
A comprehensive surveillance strategy is in place, she says.
Here is my colleague Ian Sample’s story about the announcement, that has just been made, that Covid booster vaccines will be offered to all over-50s and to those at severe risk of the disease.
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, is now chairing a briefing at Downing Street about booster jabs.
Van-Tam is with Prof Wei Shen Lim, chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, Dr June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
Van-Tam starts by saying they will just take questions on booster vaccines. They will not discuss other issues.
In the Commons last night Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccine deployment minister, made a statement to MPs confirming that the government would go ahead with vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds. Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, held a press conference earlier to say that the chief medical officers were recommending this, and so Zahawi’s announcement did not come as a surprise.
But the response from Conservative MPs was striking because many of them made it clear that they were deeply unhappy with the proposal. The exchanges only started after 9pm, and so they have had much less coverage in today’s papers than they would have done if that had taken place earlier, but here are some of the highlights.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, said he was worried about teenagers being pressurised into getting vaccinated. He said:
Sir Graham Brady, chair of the backbench Conservative 1922 Committee said that only 10 days earlier the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation had warned of “substantial uncertainty” concerning the health risks, and he asked what had changed.
Steve Brine, a former health minister, said:
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said:
Marcus Fysh said:
And Dr Caroline Johnson, a paediatrician, said
Sir Keir Starmer has just finished delivering his speech to the TUC conference. He was speaking at Congress House, the TUC HQ in London, before a small audience, but the conference is essentially online and most of the conference “attendees” would have been watching virtually.
It was a relatively routine speech in which Starmer restated some of Labour’s proposals on workers’ rights but stressed that the party would not be able to implement them until it won power.
He said Labour would:
Raise the minimum wage to at least £10 per hour, giving a carer on the minimum wage a pay rise of at least £2,500 a year. (The national living wage is currently £8.91 for people aged 23 and over.)
Ensure more workers are covered by collectively-agreed pay deals.
Give workers basic rights from day one in the job.
Ban zero hours contracts and replace them with regular contracts.
Ensure parental leave and the right to flexible working are available to workers from day one.
Starmer also stressed that the concept of dignity at work, the theme of the conference, was personal to him because of his father. He explained:
Lord Frost, the Brexit minister, has announced that a series of post-Brexit health checks on goods that were due to be imposed on EU imports to the UK from later this year, or from January, are being postponed. He says this will give businesses more time to prepare.
Here are the border checks that are affected.
The requirement for pre-notification of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) goods
Was due to start: 1 October 2021
Now starting: 1 January 2022
The new requirements for export health certificates
Was due to start: 1 October 2021
Now starting: 1 July 2022
Phytosanitary certificates and physical checks on SPS goods at border control posts
Was due to start: 1 January 2022
Now starting: 1 July 2022
Safety and security declarations on imports
Was due to start: 1 January 2022
Now starting: 1 July 2022
In a statement Frost said:
Prof Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), told the Today programme that he would not feel comfortable about a 12-year-old child deciding to get vaccinated against the wishes of their parents. (See 9.50am.)
Asked about this possibility, he told the programme:
In his interviews this morning Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccine deployment minister, said children aged 12 to 15 would be able to decide to get vaccinated against the wishes of their parents - provided they were deemed competent to do so by a clinician. He told Sky News:
The concept is known as “Gillick competence” in legal circles after Victoria Gillick, the campaigner who went to court in the 1980s to stop doctors giving contraceptives to children under the age of 16 without their parents consent. The case ended up in the House of Lords, where the law lords made a ruling that still applies today.
A controversial plan to build a tunnel between Scotland and Northern Ireland has been ditched before ground was broken, it has been reported, as the Treasury clamps down on spending. My colleague Jamie Grierson has the story.
Good morning. As my colleagues Aubrey Allegretti and Peter Walker reports, later today Boris Johnson will confirm the start of a booster jabs programme for the over-50s, as part of an announcement about the government’s winter plan for Covid.
In an interview this morning Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccine deployment minister, said the booster programme would be the “final piece of the jigsaw” as the UK transitions away from dealing with coronavirus as a pandemic. He said:
I will post more from his interviews soon.
Here is the agenda for the day.
8.30am: Boris Johnson chairs cabinet.
10am: Sir Keir Starmer gives a speech to the TUC conference.
11.30am: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation hold a press conference.
12pm: Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, gives a speech.
After 1pm: MPs begin debating the health and social care levy bill, which is due to pass all its Commons stages in one day. The second reading vote will take place three hours after the debate starts, and votes on committee stage amendments will take place another three hours later.
After 2pm: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, gives a statement in the Scottish parliament on Covid.
4pm: Boris Johnson holds a press conference to give details of the government’s winter plan for Covid.
At some point today there will also be a statement in the Commons on the Covid winter plan, but the timing of that has not been announced yet.
For further Covid coverage, do read our global live blog.
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