Ministers have 'lost their grip' of vaccines says Jon Ashworth
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The Prime Minister yesterday said the programme needed to go “as fast as possible” following warnings that the number of new coronavirus cases could hit 100,000 a day. He also signalled the Government could, as we head into winter, give the go-ahead to reducing the gap between the second dose and the booster from the current six months. And he urged the over-50s to come forward for their jab when invited to “fortify” the country’s protection against the pandemic.
He said: “The most important thing people can do now is get that booster jab. You get the call, get the jab.”
The Prime Minister rejected calls to activate the Government’s Covid Plan B, which would bring back some measures including compulsory mask on public transport and advice to work from home where possible.
Ministers will today launch a national advertising blitz urging people to get their Covid boosters and flu jabs to ease pressure on the NHS this winter.
The multi-media campaign will run on outdoor billboards, broadcast and community radio and television to support the national vaccine drive.
Mr Johnson stepped up his call for people aged 50 and over to take up Covid booster jab offers during a visit to Northern Ireland yesterday.
He led celebrations of Northern Ireland’s centenary.
The Queen had been due to attend as part of a visit to Northern Ireland, but was advised by her doctors to rest.
The Prime Minister was among a host of political leaders, including Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and Northern Ireland’s First Minister Paul Givan, who attended the event at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh.
The cross-community service heard a message of reconciliation from church leaders.
Irish President Michael D Higgins turned down an invitation to the event and Sinn Fein snubbed the ecumenical service in protest at partition.
Tackled later about the response to Covid, Mr Johnson was asked whether the gap between the second jab and the booster could be reduced.
He said: “That’s an extremely important point.”
He added: “On the issue of timing, all I will say is I think we just need to keep going as fast as possible.”
His remarks followed a call from former health secretary Jeremy Hunt for the gap between jabs to be cut.
Speaking in the Commons, the senior Tory MP said: “Does it really matter, when it’s only nine weeks until the Christmas holidays, if someone has their booster jab after five months?”
Vaccines minister Maggie Throup told MPs: “The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has advised that it should be a minimum of six months from the second jab.”
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