Health chiefs could face a scramble to roll out Covid booster jabs on schedule after it emerged a decision is still weeks away.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) met today to discuss who should get a third dose of vaccine this winter.
But the experts are waiting for more trial results, due between now and the end of the month, before making their final recommendation.
It’s understood no final announcement on who will get boosters is due before the start of September at the earliest, and it is possible it could come later in the month.
That is despite NHS England’s initial “core planning scenario”, published on July 1, hoping to roll out booster jabs between September 6 and December 17.
A source close to the committee brushed off claims of a delay, pointing out the JCVI had never set a date for its final advice.
But another source close to the experts admitted it was “hard to say” whether advice would be ready by early September.
They said: “Logistics people badly want and need a plan. But obviously it is important to figure out whether people actually need it and if so who.”
A further source told The Guardian: “The jury is still very much out on what happens.
“One of the consistent things we have found is that when we undertake clinical trials, the results can be surprising.”
In interim advice on June 30, the JCVI suggested there could be two stages to a booster rollout, similar to the rules for first doses between January and March.
Stage one would give boosters to immunosuppressed and extremely vulnerable over-16s; care home residents; frontline health and care workers; and all over-70s.
Stage two would give them to all over-50s, plus all over-16s in a flu or Covid risk group, and any adults who share their home with an immunosuppressed person.
The JCVI did not rule out extending booster shots to healthy under-50s - but said at the time it was too early to make a decision.
It’s unclear whether the JCVI’s final advice will make a recommendation for healthy under-50s, or put it off to a later date.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said he "anticipates" boosters will be given to the first patients from early September.
However, the government has also promised “any” booster programme will be based on advice from the JCVI.
Earlier JCVI member Prof Adam Finn appeared to pour cold water on the idea of all Brits getting a third dose.
He told the BBC the group were “trying to identify the people who are really at risk and really need that third dose.
"I think it's less clear really whether a third dose in a more general way, for sort of all people above a certain age, is really going to make very much difference.”
A government spokesperson said: “We are preparing for a booster programme to ensure those most vulnerable to COVID-19 have protection extended ahead of winter and against new variants.
“Any booster programme will be based on the final advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Until we receive the independent JCVI advice no decisions can be made on wider requirements for those who receive booster jabs.
“The phenomenal vaccine rollout is building a wall of defence across the country, with over 82,100 hospitalisations prevented and more than 95,200 lives saved.“
