Ministers have begun ordering vaccines for a booster program in autumn 2022. Pfizer is reportedly being requested to supply the UK 35m more doses.Although the government has not yet given the go-ahead to the vaccine booster program expected to be launched this fall, it is believed that Pfizer placed the order despite rising prices.A Times report (paywall) claims that the government is now paying 22 per dose, compared to an earlier price of 18. This is because prices are rising due to global demand. Pfizer and the EU have signed a contract to purchase 900m doses. The EU also has the option of buying the same amount again.Wednesday's story was confirmed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Although it said that it didn't comment on commercial vaccine supply arrangements it said that it was confident it would be able to provide vaccine for future booster programs.Sajid Javid (the health secretary) confirmed this week that this year's vaccine booster program would begin in September. Although the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has yet to issue its final advice, it made an interim recommendation in June that boosters should be offered to over-50s and other at-risk adults. It also recommended that adults living with immunosuppressed people receive them.These groups include more than 30,000,000 people. If the booster program goes ahead, most of them will be given Moderna or Pfizer jabs. The majority of over-40s have been vaccinated already with AstraZeneca, although there are some indications that a mix-and-match approach to topping up vaccines might be more effective.A spokesperson for the DHSC stated that they have access to over 500m doses Covid-19 vaccines. We are confident that our supply will be sufficient to support future booster programs. The final recommendation of the independent JCVI will guide the potential booster program.Although the public seems to support a vaccine booster program, there is doubt within the scientific community about whether or not it is necessary. This is due to the low levels of vaccination in the developing world.Adam Finn, a Professor of Paediatrics at Bristol and a Member of the JCVI, said Wednesday that while some people with immunosuppressions will almost certainly require a boost this autumn, there is still some question as to whether all people over 50 would be required to participate in the programme.He said that we need to examine evidence to determine if people who have received vaccines in the early stages of the program are at risk for serious diseases and if the protection they've received from the first two doses of vaccines is still effective. It is clear that we don't want to give vaccines to people who do not need them.Professor Sir Andrew Pollard of the Oxford Vaccine Group, who developed the AstraZeneca jab told MPs that a booster program would be necessary if vaccines' protection began to wane. However, so far, evidence has not shown this.He said that a booster program in the UK could mean less vaccines are available to the developing world. He stated that people in Britain would be receiving three doses of vaccines while others in other parts of the world have not. This would indicate a moral failing.He said, "There's also the messaging. That says to other countries that if the UK requires three doses, then we need three doses." This has huge implications for sucking more doses from the system.
