AN Oxford GP is urging people to get the Covid booster jab when they are able to.
People can book their extra jab if it has been six months since they received their second dose of the vaccine.
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Professor Anthony Harnden, an Oxford GP and deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), spoke this morning on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about the importance of getting the booster dose, saying it makes a 'huge difference'.
He said: "The people who are elgible for the booster at the moment are those old and vulnerable as well as health and social care workers - all of which its important that they receive the booster.
"One, because the younger people need it to stop transmitting, and secondly, because the older people need it to really top up their immunity level.
"I think it's really important that we make it easy and accessible for them to access the vaccine."
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Mr Harnden said there may be some confusion amongst people about where they can get their booster vaccine.
People can book an appointment by calling 119 or going onto the NHS website.
He added: "If people can get that booster dose they will get that extra protection and if it's accessible it will be easy for them."
He also mentioned the JCVI may look at reducing the six-month gap between the second dose and the booster jab in 'due course'.
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Amid talks about whether lockdown restrictions and compulsory mask wearing should come back into force, the professor said people still need to be cautious as they go about their day-to-day lives.
He said: "Vaccines are very important - they can do the heavy lifting but they can't do everything. Actually, we should be still maintaining social distances, we should be wearing masks in crowded spaces and we should all remain sensible."
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