Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to roll out covid-19 boosters in autumn 2022 using an age and risk factor priority scheme; and if he will make a statement.

On 19 May 2022, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published interim advice on an autumn COVID-19 vaccine booster programme. This advised that a booster vaccine should be offered in autumn 2022 to residents in a care home for older adults and staff; frontline health and social care workers; all those 65 years old and over; and adults aged 16 to 64 years old in a clinical risk group. Vaccination of other groups and definitions of clinical risk groups remain under consideration within the JCVI’s ongoing review. The Government will consider the JCVI’s final recommendations for the autumn booster programme later this year.