UK Likely to Approve Booster Shots Next Week... AZ Developer Says "Not Everyone Needs to Get It"

Booster Shot Likely to Be Administered as a Cross-Vaccination

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The UK is expected to approve COVID-19 vaccine booster shots early next week.

On the 10th (local time), The Times reported that the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has decided on booster shots, but the target groups and timing have not yet been determined.

The Times reported that JCVI received data the day before showing that immunity against COVID-19 increased several times after receiving two doses of the vaccine followed by an additional booster dose months later. On the same day, UK health authorities also approved the use of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines for booster shots. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said, "We are waiting for JCVI's final recommendation, but I am confident that vaccinations can begin this month."

The Financial Times, citing a health department official, reported that the UK plans to use a mix-and-match approach with AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines for the booster shots.

Additionally, The Times stated that England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty is expected to express support for vaccinating 12- to 15-year-olds early next week.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph reported that Sarah Gilbert, an Oxford University professor and co-developer of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, said, "Not everyone needs a booster shot; instead, vaccines should be sent to countries that need them." Professor Gilbert added, "Some people vulnerable to COVID-19 need booster shots, but in most cases immunity is well maintained."

Andrew Pollard, an Oxford University professor who led the AstraZeneca vaccine clinical trials, also said in a BBC Radio interview, "The UK still has a high level of immunity, and the UK has a moral duty to help other countries."

Currently, 88.8% of the UK population aged 16 and over have received at least one dose. The UK has secured more than 540 million vaccine doses, including 135 million doses of Pfizer and 100 million doses of AstraZeneca.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.