UK buys 35million more Pfizer Covid vaccines for NEXT winter
UK buys 35million more Pfizer Covid jabs for NEXT winter to ‘future proof’ country with booster vaccines for ‘years to come’
Some 35million Pfizer doses will arrive in the UK from June 2022Doses will be used for any future booster drives, the Department of Health saidJabs will ensure the country ‘remains ahead of the virus for years to come’
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The UK has ordered 35million more doses of Pfizer‘s Covid jab to dish out as boosters next year.
The injections will arrive in the second half of 2022 and ‘future proof’ the country against the virus and any future variants, the Department of Health and Social Care announced today.
The additional doses ordered for next year – which would be enough to give third doses to more than half of the population – will be used for any future booster programmes and ensure the country ‘remains ahead of the virus for years to come’, the DHSC said.
Some 89.3million jabs have been administered in the UK so far, which has been enough to give 87.7 per cent of over-16s first injections and 76.7 per cent second jabs.
Ministers instructed the NHS to prepare for a Covid vaccine booster programme this autumn, with third doses expected to be given at the same time as flu jabs to over-50s, those with underlying health conditions, as well as health and social care staff.
Up to 32million could be offered boosters under this plan, but it depends on final advice due in September from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which guides ministers on the roll-out.
One member of the JCVI hinted on Friday that boosters could just be given to the most vulnerable in the country, rather than entire age groups.
The UK has ordered a further 35million doses of Pfizer’s Covid vaccine, which will arrive in the second half of 2022. It is unclear how they will be used, but the Government said they will help in the fight against the virus and future variants. Pictured: a woman gets a dose of the Pfizer Covid jab at a mass vaccination centre in Doncaster in June
Some 89.3million jabs have been administered in the UK so far. Some 47.6million have now been given first doses, while 41.6million people are fully immunised. This equates to 87.7 per cent of over-16s receiving first injections and 76.7 per cent having second jabs
In a signal that boosters vaccines could become a recurring part of living with the virus, the latest Pfizer order is enough to vaccinating the 23million over-65s and have doses left to spare.
The deal between the Vaccine Taskforce and Pfizer has not yet been published, so details including the cost of the jabs are not yet available.
Pfizer’s Covid jab is 85 to 95 per cent effective at stopping someone from developing Covid symptoms after two doses, according to latest Public Health England estimates.
And it is 90 to 99 per cent effective at stopping hospitalisations and 95 to 99 per cent effective at preventing death.
Scientists estimate it is more effective than the AstraZeneca jab, which still offers strong protection against hospitalisation and death, but is slightly less effective at stopping symptomatic infections.
The vaccines have so far saved 95,200 lives in the UK, according to Government estimates.
And they have prevented 82,100 hospitalisations among the over-65s and 23.9million infections in England, according to Public Health England.
Mr Javid said: ‘The UK’s phenomenal vaccination programme is providing tens of millions of people with protection from Covid, saving 95,200 lives and preventing 82,100 hospitalisations in the over-65s in England alone.
‘While we continue to build this wall of defence from Covid, it’s also vital we do everything we can to protect the country for the future too – whether that’s from the virus as we know it or new variants.
‘I am pleased we’ve reached this agreement with Pfizer for more doses as part of our robust preparations to future-proof our vaccine programme, ensuring we have plans in place to keep the nation safe for years to come.’
The nature of the UK’s booster plans for this year will not be revealed until next month.
But some scientists have said vaccines should be used to administer first doses to people in other countries before third doses are offered in the UK.
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, one of the scientists behind the Oxford AstraZeneca jab and chair of the JCVI, said last week: ‘The greatest priority for vaccines in the world is for those who remain without protection but are at high risk of dying from Covid, including older adults, those with health conditions and health care workers, wherever they live.
‘Those with zero doses have a lot to gain from receiving a vaccine today and so should be ahead of those who are already two doses up.’
The Government said it will donate 100million Covid jabs within the next 12 months and has donated £548million to help distribute doses in developing countries.
