By Experts consider fourth vaccine as Omicron cases rise
A fourth vaccine is being considered for vulnerable groups and the elderly as Omicron cases rapidly rise throughout the UK.
The news comes after Germany and Israel declared their plans to give certain groups a second booster jab.
Israel have announced that healthcare workers and people over 60 can now receive a fourth vaccine.
In a tweet, Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett wrote: “The world will follow in our footsteps.”
Germany has revealed that they have ordered an extra 80 million doses for a fourth vaccine also.
Experts with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are currently reviewing whether or not having a second booster will have much of a effect for Brits at this stage.
They also announced that they have been considering whether or not vulnerable five-to-11-year-olds should receive their first two doses early.
Hospitalisations from the Omicron variant and the level of immunity provided by the third vaccine will play a crucial role in whether or not further boosters will be required for the nation.
People with weakened immune systems have already been offered a fourth jab.
JCVI Deputy Chair Professor Anthony Harnden said: “We need to see more data.
“We are in different circumstances to Israel and we need to see more data on waning immunity and vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation.”
Evidence has already reportedly begun to show that the third vaccine’s protection is decreasing much like the second jabs’ did.
Professor Adam Finn, another JCVI member, told LBC Radio: “I think there will be people probably who will receive a fourth jab – whether that will be everyone, I think, is still very much in doubt.
“We do need to see how things go through this wave and beyond.
“I think there may well be people who received their boosters early who are in the older more vulnerable age groups who may need a further jab – that has not been decided yet.
“It is still under review and discussion, and we will be providing recommendations on that at some point in the New Year.”
