The problem is that the media and some experts are talking in terms of everyone getting a third jab & how not enough people are getting it. And we know how easily politicians can fold under pressure for them. Its already happened in Israel, and Austria seems to be moving it's travel requirements towards having more boosters. Its really not a massive step to imagine the situation where a third / fourth / fifth booster becomes the next "key to freedom".
And all of this is under the backdrop of the WHO pleading with industrialised nations to concentrate on getting vaccines to poorer countries instead of focusing on third jabs. It does feel sometimes like politicians are getting addicted to pandemics.
I don’t read newspapers generally. And sift through stuff online. I have seen that there’s been massive confusion over “booster” and “third primary jab” online though.
The third primary jab rollout absolutely needed the media to start crying out about it — it was announced on September 1st and seven/eight weeks later there are still people trying to get that third primary dose, with some medical professionals not understanding that there is such a thing as a third primary and then even when they acknowledge that, they misinterpret the JCVI guidance. I have now had mine but it was a very frustrating seven week wait to get it — when the intention appears to have been for these to have all been done in September. Deadlines were actually set but for myself and others I know who are also eligible they were missed.
I’ve also heard that there are issues with care home residents in particular not getting their booster jabs — and these are the people who need them most. The press need to kick off about this to get it done. After care home residents weren’t looked after last year this is inexcusable.
The initial vaccine rollout was a massive success. What’s happening now isn’t. Perhaps related to the change in health secretary, I don’t know — or simply that they shouldn’t have announced third primary jabs and boosters within two weeks of each other.
The JCVI hasn’t made any recommendations for under 50s to get a booster (unless vulnerable), so anyone calling for “everyone” to get a booster is misinformed.