A British medicines regulator has approved two Covid-19 vaccines for use as third jabs in a booster programme.
Amid fears of decreasing immunity as we approach winter, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency confirmed it is safe to receive a third jab of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine.
"We know that a person’s immunity may decline overtime after their first vaccine course," said MHRA chief executive, Dr June Raine
"I am pleased to confirm that the COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and AstraZeneca can be used as safe and effective booster doses.
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"This is an important regulatory change as it gives further options for the vaccination programme, which has saved thousands of lives so far.
"It will now be for the JVCI to advise on whether booster jabs will be given and if so, which vaccines should be used.
"We have in place a comprehensive safety surveillance strategy for monitoring the safety of all UK-approved COVID-19 vaccines and this surveillance will include booster jabs."
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) is meeting today to discuss the possibility of a booster programme in the UK and how extensive it could be.
Ministers seem eager to roll out a mass booster programme for most adults in an attempt to lessen the blow of an expected surge in cases during autumn and winter.
Last week, the JVCI approved the use of a third vaccine for people with severely weakened immune systems, however, this programme was separate from the booster programme being discussed today.
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