LONDON, November 6

Britain’s health ministry on Saturday said it would open up bookings for booster shots a month before people were eligible to receive the shots to help speed up the rollout ahead of the challenging winter months.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is relying on booster doses as a major plank of his plan to avoid lockdown this winter through Covid-19 vaccines rather than social-distancing rules or mask mandates, but has been criticised for a slow start to the programme.

Around three in five eligible over-50s have had booster shots in England.

Over-50s and vulnerable people will still become eligible for their booster shots six months after their second dose. But from Monday, they can book the appointment after five months. Currently, people can only book the appointment six months after their second dose.

“This will accelerate the booster programme, ensure the National Health Service (NHS) is able to vaccinate people as quickly as possible, and importantly help more people maintain protection against Covid-19 as we know immunity will dip over time,” Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who sets policy in England, said. The health ministry said the winter would be

challenging for the NHS, owing to increased spread of other seasonal viruses such as flu. — Reuters