Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, lead scientist of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine programme, has confirmed that a third COVID jab will be unnecessary for most people.
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'We don't need to boost everybody'
The health expert has said that, in most cases, two doses of the vaccine is sufficient protection to combat even the more contagious Delta variant. Instead, she believes that booster jabs meant to be used in the UK should be sent over to countries struggling to inoculate its citizens. Speaking to the Telegraph, she said:
We will look at each situation; the immuno-compromised and elderly will receive boosters. But I don’t think we need to boost everybody. Immunity is lasting well in the majority of people.
More vaccines coming to the UK
But despite her efforts to help those who are in greater need of vaccination, plans to jab more than what appears to be necessary in the UK are going forward. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are set to approve the Pfizer booster vaccine in the coming days after it was shown that a third jab could provide a 'several-fold increase' in antibodies, as reported by The Times.
Health secretary Sajid Javid said that he was confident that a third jab would be offered to the UK by October for additional protection that will be needed in the colder months:
We are heading towards our booster programme. I’m confident that our booster programme will start later this month, but I’m still awaiting the final advice.
Further, chief medical officers across all four kingdoms are also expected to give their final decision whether those under 16 years of age should receive their first dose of the vaccine.
