Nine million Brits could be given their Covid booster jab a month earlier than planned under plans discussed by ministers and scientific advisers.
In September, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended that everyone over 50 be offered a third dose of a Covid vaccine, as well as medical staff and younger adults with medical conditions.
Only those who had had their second jab six months or more ago would be invited for a booster.
Estimates reported elsewhere suggest that 22 million people would be ready for a third vaccine by mid-December.
But at the current rate of roll-out, all the most at risk will not be jabbed again until the end of January.
JCVI deputy chair Professor Anthony Harnden said the vaccine experts would have to consider whether to cut the gap to five months.
Amid mounting concern about rising Covid rates, Boris Johnson was piling pilling the pressure on his scientific advisers to cut the existing waiting time for booster jabs from six months to five, the Daily Mail reports.
Around nine million Brits would then become eligible for a third dose under the plans.
The Government has launched a new media blitz to encourage people to get their boosters and the PM urged people to come forward.
"The numbers (of infections) are high, we can see what's happening, we can see the increase, now is the time to get those booster jabs," he told reporters on Thursday.
The PM's official spokesman said: "We want to move as swiftly as possible on boosters.
"More than 5.5 million people have been invited, more than four million doses have been administered so far and we want to move as quickly as possible on that.
"As you’ll know, there is that six-month time period that the JCVI currently recommends... so it’s only when those people become eligible that we are able to provide their boosters."
Asked about cutting the waiting time to five months, he added: "That six-month gap is on JCVI advice currently. Obviously we would expect them to keep that under review and if they were to change the advice we would want to be in a position to move on that."
The Prime Minister, speaking to reporters on a visit to a vaccine centre, said: “It’s a very good question and it’s the important question. I think a lot of people are looking at that issue.”
Prof Harnden said the six month gap between a second dose and a booster was the "sweet spot".
Asked if it would be reduced to five months, he told the BBC: "I think it is something we will need to consider in due course."
Care Minister Gillian Keegan said the Government would act on the advice of the JCVI.
"Of course they continually look at the data but they are the only people who can really answer this question," she told Sky News.
"If they advise us, our job then would be to get ready to do whatever they say. But at the moment it is six months."
Meanwhile, the Telegraph reports that the NHS system for booking the booster Covid jabs is blocking patients from getting their vaccines.
Eligible patients using the website were blocked from making an appointment and were calling on the Health Secretary to fix the problem.
Maureen Stewart Jones, 81, a retired teacher, said she is yet to be invited for her booster but was told by the NHS website that she was not eligible.
“They are sending me from pillar to post,” she said.
“I used the link, I went online, added all my details but I was told I am not eligible for booking the booster and they suggested I get in touch with 119.
“I am 81, I had my second injection on April 14, which is over six months. There’s no real evidence that I am going to be called – I am just being told I am not eligible, which I don’t understand.”
An NHS spokesman was reported to have said: “Over four million people have already received their top-up jab, with around 5.5 million people invited and almost two million more due to get their invite this week as they become eligible.
“People who are eligible can book in for their vaccination through the national booking service or by calling 119.”
The UK on Thursday recorded more than 50,000 daily coronavirus cases for the first time since mid-July.
