Exclusive The Government has no plans to make Covid vaccines available for the general public to purchase, as with flu jabs, Pulse has learned.
Last week, the autumn booster programme launched in care homes, with jabs being rolled out to healthcare workers, the immunosuppressed, pregnant women, carers and the over-65s from this week.
As part of the campaign, around 26 million people in England are eligible for a booster including those aged over 50 and those in at-risk groups – and NHS England has indicated that vaccine supply is currently at its ‘strongest ever’ level.
But those who are not part of eligible cohorts will not be able to access a dose even if they are willing to pay, despite suggestions that the Covid vaccine programme will become like the seasonal flu campaign.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed to Pulse that there are currently no plans to make Covid boosters available to purchase for those not eligible for a free jab.
A spokesperson told Pulse on background that Covid vaccines are free and only available through the NHS, supplied by Government-procured stocks, but declined to make a formal statement.
With the flu vaccine, those not eligible for a free jab are able to purchase one privately from community pharmacies and private clinics.
The DHSC also told Pulse that the UK has a sufficient supply of Covid vaccines to meet current JCVI advice for the autumn booster campaign, which recommends the use of updated Omicron vaccines.
It stressed that most of the Government’s contracts with manufacturers contain flexibilities to ensure that the UK can receive updated vaccines if production is switched, including bivalent vaccines targeting both the original virus and new strains.
Additional purchased doses of Pfizer and Moderna jabs announced in December include further supplies for 2022 and 2023 as and when they are needed, it said.
However, the DHSC declined to share how many doses of the two recently-approved bivalent vaccines targeting the Omicron variant – made by Moderna and Pfizer – have been ordered for the UK rollout, citing commercial sensitivities.
Meanwhile, NHS England recently invited GPs to share their views on plans for a new national vaccination strategy, saying it expects Covid jabs to become a ‘seasonal service’.
The BMA previously suggested that booster shots could become core GP work on an optional basis, much like the flu vaccination programme.
And both experts and former health secretary Matt Hancock have warned that we could be living with Covid-19 as we do with flu in the long term.
READERS' COMMENTS [6]
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Can anyone explain the logic behind this?
If there is no shortage of vaccines, what can possibly justify Government control of supply?
Oh, yes, the vaccine that vaccine they wanted to fire and redeploy you over, only your sector.
“Can anyone explain the logic behind this?”
Perhaps it is because the vaccines are of limited utility for their intended purpose beyond a small section of the population.
Augmented by the emerging data relating to injury greatly reducing the risk v benefit.
Remember when Evidence of safety and efficacy were a “thing”….?
NHSE: “Children who turned 5 on or after 1 September 2022 can only get a 1st and 2nd dose of a COVID-19 vaccine if they’re either:
at high risk due to a health condition or because of a weakened immune system
living with someone who has a weakened immune system”
Could PULSE please help us respond to parents who ask “what health conditions put their children at high risk”
“Perhaps it is because the vaccines are of limited utility for their intended purpose beyond a small section of the population. . . .”
Yes indeed – but perhaps people are entitled to do stuff you would not, even if it appears stupid, providing no-one else is harmed?
Dave Haddock- perhaps they are aware of more risks than we are… if someone offered to pay you £20 for a shot of cyanide, would you oblige?