A “next generation” Covid-19 booster jab which is the first to target two strains of the virus will be offered to millions of Brits over the autumn.
The groundbreaking Moderna jabs, which target both the Omicron variant and the original strain of the killer virus, will be rolled out in a bid to avoid a winter NHS nightmare.
Around 26 million people, including all over-50s and younger Brits deemed at highest risk from the virus, are eligible for a booster jab over the autumn. Carers and those who live with vulnerable individuals will also be included in the rollout.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) today announced it has authorised Moderna’s new bivalent vaccine – which manufacturers say gives such a big antibody boost that a dose may only be needed once a year.
It is an updated version of the Moderna jab used in previous vaccine and booster rollouts. The original vaccine will also be used in the booster programme.
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Today the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) announced that the new bivalent vaccine will be available to Brits in the autumn campaign – although it is not known have been ordered, or how much it has cost.
It will be available to adults aged over 18 who qualify for a fresh booster, along with the original Pfizer-Biotech and Moderna jabs.
Vulnerable children under the age of 17 will be given a Pfizer-Biotech vaccine, with a paediatric formulation available to under-12s.
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Medics say all of these are effective and urged those who go for a booster to take the one they’re offered.
Following the approval of the new booster, MHRA chief executive Dr June Raine described it as “a sharpened tool in our armoury”.
Dr Raine said: “The first generation of Covid-19 vaccines being used in the UK continue to provide important protection against the disease and save lives.
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“What this bivalent vaccine gives us is a sharpened tool in our armoury to help protect us against this disease as the virus continues to evolve.”
It is expected that further vaccines will be developed and approved as scientists continue to get to grips with Covid-19, which official data shows yesterday showed had claimed 162,550 lives, including 827 in the previous week.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chair of COVID-19 immunisation on the JCVI, said: “All of the available booster vaccines offer very good protection against severe illness from COVID-19. As more vaccines continue to be developed and approved, the JCVI will consider the benefits of including them in the UK programme.
“It is important that everyone who is eligible takes up a booster this autumn, whichever vaccine is on offer. This will increase your protection against being severely ill from COVID-19 as we move into winter.”