Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 22, 2025

UK to offer booster Covid jabs to over 50s, care home residents and health care workers ahead of ‘bumpy’ winter

UK to offer booster Covid jabs to over 50s, care home residents and health care workers ahead of ‘bumpy’ winter

The British government has announced booster Covid jabs will be offered to people aged 50 and over, care home residents, as well as health and social care workers in a bid to increase vaccine protection ahead of a “bumpy” winter.
On Tuesday, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) outlined the details of the UK’s booster shot scheme, with England's deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, stating that the third shot should be rolled out “within days.”

Care home residents, members of the population aged 50 and over and people employed in the health and social care sector will all be able to come forward for a third shot, as long as six months have passed since receiving the second.

The top-up jab will preferably be an mRNA vaccine based on outcomes of clinical trials. Eligible adults shall receive either a full dose of Pfizer/BioNTech’s vaccine, or half of Moderna’s Spikevax. However, Oxford/AstraZeneca will be on offer for people who are unable to receive an mRNA vaccine due to allergies.

Offers of a third dose are being made ahead of the winter months, which Van-Tam warned will be “bumpy” due to the likely resurgence of other viruses such as flu and RSV. The professor reminded Britons that “we are not past the pandemic, we are in an active phase still.”

Britain’s roll out of its booster scheme comes as a handful of nations have begun offering third doses to their citizens. In August, France announced that its elderly population in care homes would receive booster shots from September 12 or 13 onwards. Meanwhile, anyone over the age of 12 in Israel can get a third Pfizer jab.

The World Health Organization, however, has frequently pleaded with wealthy nations to halt offering boosters in order to allow poorer, under-vaccinated states to play catch up. Last week, the body’s chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called for a pause on the administration of booster shots until next year.

Over 89% of Britons have received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 81% of the population is fully inoculated, according to government statistics.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
×