Millions of thirtysomethings are now able to book their booster vaccine – as Covid rates in the age group start to rise.
Officially eligible starting tomorrow, over 30s can now book online as part of Government’s ongoing efforts to combat the Omicron variant.
Invitations to be sent out to nearly half the people in England aged between 30 and 39 will soon begin to go out.
According to the NHS, people over 30 can book appointments online.
Two months following the last dose, bookings may be made. One month prior to becoming eligible for the jab.
This news comes just as the NHS revealed that they are preparing to vaccine children as young at five years of age.
The NHS England documents are reported to state that parents will need to consent to vaccines for children between five and eleven years of age once the plans have been approved.
They also state that the environment in which primary school children are given the Covid-19 jab must be ‘age appropriate’, according to The Times.
The documents reportedly said the vaccination process should be ‘plotted through the eyes of a child’ in a bid to reassure younger patients.
Meanwhile SAGE experts have warned that Britain’s recent surge in Covid cases is now being driven by children.
Two confirmed Omicron-supermutant outbreaks have occurred in English primary schools.
Omicron infections in Britain rose 50% today. Data was revealed by Government scientists who warned of the possibility that Omicron could lead to nearly 2,500 hospitalizations per day this winter. Tougher measures may be required.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, 663 more cases were reported in the UK than the previous 448. This brings the total number of cases in the country to 1,898, though experts believe it is higher.
Sajid Javid, Health and Social Care Secretary, said: “The Covid-19 booster programme is accelerating rapidly and more than 22 million people in the UK have already received their top-up, securing vital.
‘This is our national mission – the most recent data shows boosters are the essential defence against Omicron and we are doing everything in our power to get jabs into arms as quickly as possible.
‘We are now expanding the offer to over-30s – so please come forward as quickly as possible to get boosted and help our country get ahead in this race with the variant.’
England began the rollout of Covid in September. Since then, only 44% have been vaccinated. The two doses of Pfizer for children 12-17 years old are given 12 weeks apart.
Britain is slower in immunizing children than most other countries. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the use of Pfizer’s jab at one third strength on November 25, for 5-11-year-olds.
US officials also approved the vaccine to be used in elementary school children last month. However, just 17 percent of those who have been administered the vaccine so far.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, (MHRA), is currently “moving at pace” to approve vaccines for the age group. A decision will be made next week.
A member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation claimed that No10 is being recommended by the JCVI and will begin to distribute them throughout the country.
Many scientists still have concerns about vaccinating young children due to the low level of risk.
Their concerns are amplified due to the slight risk of myocarditis — an ultra-rare form of heart inflammation spotted in some young people after they are jabbed.
It comes after Professor John Edmunds, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, called for jabs for five to 11-year-olds ‘as soon as possible’.
At today’s Royal Society of Medicine event, Professor Edmunds stated that there had been an increase in the number of patients over the past few months. There have also been 100-150 deaths per day and a high rate of hospitalisations.
Although I don’t believe all that was driven by children is true, many of those things have been.
“So, from a population standpoint, it seems pretty obvious that we need to vaccinate all our children.
According to ZOE data, cases have been at their highest among under-18s from November to early December. More than 32,000 were recorded last week, compared with less than 2000 in the over-75s.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), reported that Saturday’s numbers increased from 448 yesterday to 54 073 Covid daily cases.
This brings the total number of highly-transmissible versions in the country to 1,898, though experts think it’s much more.
The JCVI — which advises Government on vaccine policy — was reluctant to recommend jabs in over-12s previously, with the decision to extend the rollout taken by Britain’s four chief medical officers.
The US and Australia have licensed jabs to all over-fives, while the EU has not yet approved Jabs for children under 12.
Yesterday, Ireland declared that the country will proceed with its move within the “coming days”.
Professor Edmunds answered a question about whether the five-year-olds living in Britain should get the vaccine. If the vaccine has been licensed, then I see no reason it should not be used.
It’s approved in Europe and North America for use in children. It’s an epidemiologically sound decision.
“Overall I feel that if it is licensed by the MHRA, the benefits to risks ratio is justified, and then it should be introduced as soon as possible.”
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation modified its recommendation late last month to give boosters to adults younger than 40.
The JCVI recommended that boosters should be available three months following the second dose. This is in contrast to its previous recommendation of a five-month gap.
People can now book their boosters up to one month in advance, which means that around 3.5 million people aged 30 and over will have the opportunity to get their boosters between now and January.
The majority of the four remaining million will likely receive an invitation to book in advance over the coming weeks.
Some have received invitations and will be getting jabbed soon.
One 30-year-old from Clapham, South London, said: ‘I got a text from Lambeth Hubs inviting me for my jab yesterday and I’m having it tomorrow. It’s been remarkably quick.’
The booster jab text reads: ‘You will have enhanced protection against Covid during the winter months and reduce pressure on the NHS. This also means you can enjoy Christmas with your loved ones and reduce the risk of Covid transmission to others.’
The message suggests that public health leaders want boosters for younger patients to help stop the spread of the virus to more elderly and vulnerable people.
Recent government data has shown that the average number of Covid cases for those between the ages of 30 and 39 in England rose by 14 percent in the past week. In comparison, Covid rates in the older age group are either flat to declining or falling. London is a particularly worrying area for health officials, as Omicron cases have been increasing and more people are not fully vaccinated.
Yesterday’s Government sources claimed that the high-transmissible variant of the virus could be responsible for as much as 30% of the capital’s new cases.
Covid case rates among Londoners in the 20s – who are unlikely to be invited for boosters until after Christmas – have doubled in the last week, adding to concerns Omicron is starting a new surge.
Dr Emily Lawson, head of the NHS Covid vaccination programme in England, said: ‘With the emergence of the new variant and the rising case numbers, there has never been a more important time to get boosted.’
Many under-40s still have not been invited for boosters to Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, some receive them in Wales.