The UK Government has purchased 35 million more doses of the Pfizer vaccine ahead of their plan to offer booster jabs to the most at-risk groups. But when will you be offered the third jab? And who will be offered it first?
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said vaccine boosters will begin to be rolled out in September.
Sajid Javid has said, “I couldn’t tell you exactly when because before we start it… we need to get the final advice from our group of experts, our independent scientific and medical advisers, the JCVI, and so we’re waiting for their final opinion.”
The UK has agreed to buy 35 million more doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine to prepare for booster shots this autumn.
READ MORE: How to live longer: The diet linked to a ‘disease-free life expectancy
The first people to be vaccinated will most likely be people who are immunocompromised, care home residents, over 70s, adults considered clinically extremely vulnerable and frontline health and social care workers.
The next wave of people to be invited for their boosters will most likely be adults over the age of 50, household contacts of immunocompromised people, and any adults who are considered ‘at risk’.
How long will the vaccine booster rollout take?
Using population estimates from 2011 census, and the September 6th date the NHS is hoping for, each age group is likely to be invited for their booster jab at the following times:
- Over 80s: Week starting September 6
- Health and social care workers: Week starting September 6
- Over 70s: Week starting September 20
- Over 60s: Week starting October 11
- Adults aged 16 and over with underlying health conditions: Week starting October 18
- Over 50s: Week starting November 8.