I am delighted that the UK is the first country to approve a dual vaccine that protects against the original Covid virus as well as, importantly, the Omicron variant.
Omicron is able to evade our vaccines much more effectively than previous strains, so it is really important that we have this new sharpened tool in our armoury.
This vaccine should be available as an autumn booster jab and further information on who will be offered this vaccine will be announced in due course.
It is vital that every effort is made to prevent any further spread of this terrible disease, particularly as we head into the winter months. Vaccines are still the best defence we have. This new safe and effective vaccine will broaden immunity and potentially improve protections against some variants as we learn to live with this virus.
I would therefore encourage all those offered the new jab in the coming months to take it.
