A single booster jab continues to provide high protection against severe disease from the Omicron variant of Covid among older adults meaning a fourth shot is not yet needed, UK experts have said.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency shows three months after boosting, protection against hospitalisation remains at about 90% for people aged 65 and over.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has taken this latest evidence into account in their ongoing review of the booster programme and have said there is no immediate need to introduce a second booster dose, or fourth jab, to the most vulnerable - care home residents and those aged over 80.
Meanwhile London’s Covid reproduction (’R’) rate has fallen from between 1.2-1.6 to 0.9-1.2 in the past week, it was revealed on Friday.
The latest update suggests the pandemic may no longer be growing in the capital.
It comes as a top statistician said it is unlikely the UK will see a large spike in serious illness and deaths due to the Omicron variant.
Meanwhile some 200 armed forces personnel are being made available to hospitals across the capital to cover staff absences.
