This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59289008

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Covid booster doses to be offered to over 40s Covid booster doses to be offered to over 40s
(33 minutes later)
All over 40s should be offered a third dose of a Covid vaccine, according to the UK government's vaccine advisors.All over 40s should be offered a third dose of a Covid vaccine, according to the UK government's vaccine advisors.
The move would top up protection and help limit the spread of the virus over winter.The move would top up protection and help limit the spread of the virus over winter.
Three doses cuts the risk of infection by more than 93%, according to the UK Health Security Agency. Three doses cuts the risk of infection by more than 93%, according to new data from the UK Health Security Agency.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation also said 16 and 17 year olds, who were initially offered only a single dose, should now get a second.The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation also said 16 and 17 year olds, who were initially offered only a single dose, should now get a second.
So far, 12.6 million people have had a booster dose. They have been given to the over 50s, front-line medical staff and people with health conditions that put them at greater risk.So far, 12.6 million people have had a booster dose. They have been given to the over 50s, front-line medical staff and people with health conditions that put them at greater risk.
How can I get my vaccine or booster?
Is my Covid vaccine wearing off?Is my Covid vaccine wearing off?
People aged 40-49 years old will be topped up with either Pfizer or a half dose of the Moderna jab. This should be offered six months after the second dose. People aged 40-49 years old will be boosted with either Pfizer or a half dose of the Moderna jab, which still gives a potent immune response. This should be offered six months after the second dose.
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, said: "If the booster programme is success and we have very high uptake, we can massively reduce worry about hospitalisation and death this Christmas and this winter for millions of people. Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, said: "If the booster programme is a success and we have very high uptake, we can massively reduce worry about hospitalisation and death this Christmas and this winter for millions of people.
"It is as simple and decisive as that.""It is as simple and decisive as that."
The UK's drug safety regulator - the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) - said the booster doses were safe and side-effects were either a sore arm or flu-like symptoms. Prof Van-Tam said the coronavirus remained "unpredictable" and that "there just isn't a second to waste now".
Dr June Raine, regulator's chief executive, said: "We welcome today's announcement by the JCVI, on the extension of the booster campaign to 40-49 year olds. This further strengthens our ability to ensure people are protected against COVID-19 and saves lives. Experts anticipate a booster would increase protection against death, or severe disease that needs hospital care, by even more than the 93% from catching Covid.
"Our proactive monitoring of the safety of booster doses does not raise any new concerns." Each nation in the UK has to formally decide whether to accept the scientists' vaccine advice, although it is almost certain the expanded booster campaign will be rolled out in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The amount of protective given by the vaccines does fall after the second the dose with time. Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: "I have asked the NHS to prepare to offer those eligible a vaccine as soon as possible."
Prof Neil Ferguson said there was "no reason" not to give boosters to younger age groups and it "could make quite a big difference to driving down transmission to low levels". Chart showing that while the number of first and second vaccine doses being administered is now low in England, the number of daily booster doses is rising quickly
Young people - aged 16 and 17 - have only been offered one dose of a Covid vaccine so far. They will now get a second dose - at least 12 weeks after their first. The UK's drug safety regulator - the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) - said the booster doses were safe and side-effects were mostly either a sore arm or flu-like symptoms.
Dr June Raine, the regulator's chief executive, said they had identified "no new safety concerns" during the booster campaign.
She added: "This further strengthens our ability to ensure people are protected against COVID-19 and saves lives."
The amount of protection given by the vaccines does fall after the second the dose.
Covid: 'No reason' not to give boosters to under-50s
Prof Wei Shen Lim, from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said it "may well be" that all adults under 40 are eventually offered a booster dose, but no decision had been made so far.
Concerns about the risk of heart inflammation, known as myocarditis, meant 16 and 17 year olds were only offered one dose of a Covid vaccine.
However, Dr Raine said they were "not detecting any increase in risk with the second dose" and young adults should "come forward for their second dose".
Follow James on TwitterFollow James on Twitter