Covid deaths are rising among the UK’s elderly population again as protection from vaccination is waning, health bosses have said.
The stark warning comes amid a new push to encourage vulnerable groups to get their booster jabs or ‘face more restrictions at Christmas.’
Earlier it was announced that more than 10 million people have had their third dose of a vaccine but there are fears it won’t be enough to stop cases rising over winter.
The chief medical advisor for the UK Health Security Agency, Dr Susan Hopkins, said more people who have been double jabbed are ending up in hospital and dying as the vaccine starts to become less effective after six months.
She said: ‘We’re still seeing deaths in mainly the unvaccinated population, but increasingly, because of immune waning effects, there are deaths in the vaccinated group as well.
‘The people who are dying are the same people who have died all the way through.
‘It is particularly the older age groups, so the over-70s in particular, but also those who are clinically vulnerable, extremely vulnerable, and have underlying medical conditions.’
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has called it a ‘national mission’ to ensure enough people are ‘topped up’ with a third jab.
Ministers are also considering changing the rules so those who have not received the booster may face travel restrictions.
Mr Javid said younger relatives should urge eligible parents and grandparents to take up the offer of a booster and the flu vaccine, saying if ‘we all come together and play our part’ then the country can ‘avoid a return to restrictions and enjoy Christmas’.
He said: ‘We know immunity begins to wane after six months, especially for the elderly and the vulnerable, and booster vaccines will top up their protection to keep people safe over the winter.
‘I strongly urge everybody who is eligible for a Covid-19 booster or flu vaccine to take up the offer as soon as you can.
‘And if you haven’t yet had your first and second vaccines, it is not too late, the NHS will always be there to welcome you with open arms.’
People over 50 and those most at risk from Covid-19 are currently eligible for a booster six months after their second jab.
In total, 10,062,704 people in the UK have received a top-up jab, according to the Government, with 409,663 receiving one on Saturday.
But about 30% of over-80s and 40% of over-50s in England are yet to receive a booster shot of vaccine, the Department of Health and Social Care said.
Official guidance was updated earlier this month to say the Government ‘is reviewing the implications and requirements of boosters for international travel certification’ and ‘looking at whether and how booster vaccinations could be included in the NHS Covid Pass for travel’.
But the Mail on Sunday reported that officials are divided over how soon to implement the measures and are discussing a grace period to allow people to continue to travel without quarantine if they have sought a booster six months after their second jab but have not yet been offered an appointment.
From Monday, the NHS is changing the booking system to allow people to pre-book a booster appointment five months after their second Covid-19 vaccine, allowing them to get it as soon as they pass the six-month mark.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said passing the 10 million booster jab milestone was ‘amazing’.
He warned ‘lifesaving’ boosters will be ‘vital’ to keep ‘you and your loved ones protected through the winter’.
MORE : Unvaccinated mum never got to meet her newborn baby after dying of Covid
MORE : Covid cases fall to lowest level in seven weeks as 10,000,000 get booster jabs
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