Millions to be offered ANOTHER Covid booster to prevent the winter wave

ONE in two adults will receive a Covid booster shot this autumn to stave off a winter wave.

The NHS plans to offer additional vaccines to 25 million over-65s, health and care workers and people with serious illnesses from September.

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Medics are hoping to avoid a further spike in Christmas cases by boosting the immunity of those most at risk.

Infections are currently at their lowest since mid-December but experts fear they will pick up after the summer as Covid becomes a seasonal bug.

Professor Wei Shen Lim of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization said: “Last year’s autumn booster program provided excellent protection against severe Covid-19, including against Omicron.

“We have provided preliminary advice for an Autumn Booster Scheme for 2022 to allow the NHS and care homes to start planning.”

The rollout is intended to include everyone over 65, all care home residents and staff, carers, NHS staff and people with health conditions that increase their risk of Covid.

It adds up to around 25.2 million people in the UK – 48 per cent of the adult population.

About 99 per cent of Britons have Covid-destroying antibodies from vaccination or infection, but protection is set to wear off over the summer.

Figures show that 93 per cent of those over the age of 12 have received at least one vaccine, with 87 per cent being double-vaccinated and 69 per cent being boosted.

Most of the people who will be offered the fall 2022 booster shot have already had three or four shots.

The latest data shows that a booster shot 15 weeks later can still prevent 77 per cent of hospital admissions for Covid.

Professor Jonathan Ball, a virologist at the University of Nottingham, said: “We know that immunity to Covid-19 contracts builds over time, so those most at risk need to be given a boost just before the virus starts circulating in the autumn and winter is expected to pick up again reasonably.

“Exact timing will be important as you don’t want to wait until virus circulation has already increased.

“Hopefully those most at risk already have their spring booster that will benefit them.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: “We will consider the final recommendations of the JCVI later this year.

“We have asked the NHS in England to start preparations to ensure they are ready to provide Covid vaccines to those who are eligible.”