Ómicron: UK extends booster vaccine for over 18s three months after second dose

All adults over 18 years of age in the United Kingdom may receive a booster dose of a vaccine against coronavirus three months after the second injection, as recommended on Monday by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), which advises the British Government.

The deputy medical adviser of the Executive, Jonathan Van-Tam, stated at a press conference that the health authorities want “Act decisively soon”, despite the fact that there is still a “high degree of uncertainty” about the dangerousness of the new omicron variant of covid-19.

“The number of mutations present means that, in advance, we are concerned about the possible effects on the effectiveness of vaccines”, said Van-Tam, who nevertheless stressed that it will take around three weeks for scientists to determine with greater confidence what is the degree of protection provided by current preparations.

June Raine, CEO of the British Medicines and Health Regulatory Agency (MHRA), stated for her part that there is “no evidence at this time that the vaccines we have been using so far do not work against the new omicron. ”.

Government medical advisers recommend offering a booster dose to adults between 18 and 39 years of age, beyond those over 40, who were already being invited to receive a third dose, and to do so after three months of the second injection, compared to the six months previously recommended.

They also urge to inoculate a second dose to children between 12 and 15 years old.

“There is no time to delay. We ask everyone to play their role in this plan given the urgency of the vaccination reinforcement program “Van-Tam said.

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