Covid booster jabs to be offered to over 40s amid fears of winter surge

16 and 17 year olds should also get a second jab according to official advice.

All over-40s in the UK should be offered a Covid booster jab, according to the UK government's scientific advisors, with the aim of limiting the spread of the virus over the winter months. Evidence suggests the chance of testing positive for Covid falls by more than 80% two weeks after a booster. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation also said 16 and 17 year olds should now get a second dose of vaccine, having previously been offered just a single dose. It comes after Senior Tory MP Oliver Dowden told Sky News that it is "in our hands" whether more restrictions are put in place this winter, adding that the booster jab is the "biggest wall of defence that we against COVID." He added: "I am confident that if we stick the course, people take the boosters when they are asked to do so, that vaccine wall will hold up and we will be able to have a decent Christmas this year." The Tory MP continued: "The way we avoid a challenging position is to take the booster - so I can assure you that there are no plans or anything else to stop Christmas happening. "The huge difference this time is the vaccine and the huge impact of the vaccine - and the way that we keep that vaccine topped up, the way that we keep that wall of defence protected is get your booster when you get the call up." https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1460145044632051713 So far, around 12.6 millions people have had a booster jab. The boosters have been offered to the over 50s, front-line medical staff and people with health conditions that put them at greater risk. Those in their 40s will be offered either a dose of Pfizer or a half dose of Moderna, and these should be offered six months after their second dose. Related links:

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