coronavirus

Rollout of COVID-19 booster vaccinations has begun in the UK – with hospitals delivering the first jabs to staff and eligible patients on 16 September and GP sites to follow within days.

Rollout of COVID-19 booster vaccinations has begun in the UK – with hospitals delivering the first jabs to staff and eligible patients on 16 September and GP sites to follow within days.

GP-led COVID-19 vaccination sites have been told to prioritise booster jabs for patients and staff in care homes, offering everyone in this cohort a booster jab by 1 November.

GP-led COVID-19 vaccination sites have been told to prioritise booster jabs for patients and staff in care homes, offering everyone in this cohort a booster jab by 1 November.

GP leaders have accused Sajid Javid of being out of touch with reality after he told MPs it is ‘high time’ GPs offer face-to-face appointments to anyone who wants one now that life in the UK is ‘almost back to completely normal’.

GP leaders have accused Sajid Javid of being out of touch with reality after he told MPs it is ‘high time’ GPs offer face-to-face appointments to anyone who wants one now that life in the UK is ‘almost back to completely normal’.

The government has accepted JCVI advice to roll out a COVID-19 booster campaign to all over-50s, health and social care staff and patients in at-risk groups – with jabs set to start from next week.

The JCVI has advised the government to roll out a COVID-19 booster campaign to all over-50s, health and social care staff and patients in at-risk groups.

The government will unveil details of a COVID-19 booster campaign on 14 September as part of a plan for managing the pandemic through autumn and winter, after receiving final advice from the JCVI.

The government will unveil details of a COVID-19 booster campaign on 14 September as part of a plan for managing the pandemic through autumn and winter, after receiving final advice from the JCVI.

The UK’s chief medical officers (CMOs) have advised ministers to offer a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine to all children aged between 12 and 15 years old, and to seek further advice from the JCVI on a second jab in this age group.

The UK’s chief medical officers (CMOs) have advised ministers to offer a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine to all children aged between 12 and 15 years old, and to seek further advice from the JCVI on a second jab in this age group.

The MHRA has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for use as booster jabs – with final advice on a booster campaign expected imminently from the JCVI.

Health and social care secretary Sajid Javid has said he is ‘confident’ a COVID-19 booster campaign will start this month and that final advice from the JCVI could come within days.

The government has asked the UK’s four chief medical officers (CMOs) to advise on possible rollout of COVID-19 jabs for people aged 12 to 15 after the JCVI said health benefits ‘marginally outweigh’ potential risk in this group.

Patients who were ‘severely immunosuppressed’ at the time of their first or second COVID-19 jab will be offered a third dose in line with updated JCVI advice, but the committee has yet to confirm whether a wider booster campaign should go ahead.

The BMA is continuing to urge the government to widen the list of official COVID-19 symptoms amid fears cases could be missed.

The BMA is continuing to urge the government to widen the list of official COVID-19 symptoms amid fears cases could be missed.

The BMA is continuing to urge the government to widen the list of official COVID-19 symptoms amid fears cases could be missed.

More than 1.3m children in England aged 16 and 17 years old will be offered a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine by 23 August, the government has said.

More than 1.3m children in England aged 16 and 17 years old will be offered a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine by 23 August, the government has said.

GPs practices have warned they are struggling to cope with large numbers of staff in self isolation ahead of a relaxation of rules from 16 August, as the government set out how changes apply to NHS staff.

More than three in four UK adults have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine – but significant variation remains between regions.

PCN vaccination sites have been told to start inviting eligible children and young people immediately for their first COVID vaccinations and that all patients should be offered their jab before the start of the new school year.

GPs have urged young people to come forward for COVID-19 vaccination with jab uptake among people aged 18-24 slowing markedly despite millions yet to receive a first jab, GPonline analysis shows.

GPs have urged young people to come forward for COVID-19 vaccination with jab uptake among people aged 18-24 slowing markedly despite millions yet to receive a first jab, GPonline analysis shows.

High levels of COVID-19 after the relaxation of pandemic restrictions will increase the rate of ‘new variant evolution’ and the risk of vaccine-evading strains of coronavirus emerging, a study has warned.

High levels of COVID-19 after the relaxation of pandemic restrictions will increase the rate of ‘new variant evolution’ and the risk of vaccine-evading strains of coronavirus emerging, a study has warned.

High levels of COVID-19 after the relaxation of pandemic restrictions will increase the rate of ‘new variant evolution’ and the risk of vaccine-evading strains of coronavirus emerging, a study has warned.

GP-led sites delivering COVID-19 vaccination have been told to start rollout of jabs to vulnerable children by 23 August ‘at the latest’ in guidance from NHS England.

GP-led sites delivering COVID-19 vaccination have been told to start rollout of jabs to vulnerable children by 23 August ‘at the latest’ in guidance from NHS England.

Exempting NHS staff from self-isolation to keep them in work is a ‘desperate and potentially unsafe policy’, the BMA has warned, as it criticised the government’s handling of spiralling COVID-19 cases.

Exempting NHS staff from self-isolation to keep them in work is a ‘desperate and potentially unsafe policy’, the BMA has warned, as it criticised the government’s handling of spiralling COVID-19 cases.

COVID-19 vaccination for children at increased risk of severe COVID-19 will be rolled out ‘as soon as possible’ under updated JCVI advice – but officials have ruled out jabs for all under 18s at this stage.

COVID-19 vaccination for children at increased risk of severe COVID-19 will be rolled out ‘as soon as possible’ under updated JCVI advice – but officials have ruled out jabs for all under 18s at this stage.

GP practice staff who have been double vaccinated against COVID-19 will not have to self-isolate and can attend work after returning a negative PCR test, the government has announced.

GP practice staff who have been double vaccinated against COVID-19 will not have to self-isolate and can attend work after returning a negative PCR test, the government has announced.

NHS England has ruled out administration of COVID-19 booster jabs at individual practice level in an enhanced service document for phase 3 of the vaccination campaign that BMA leaders say ‘ignores’ the voice of GPs.

The government’s decision to press ahead with relaxing COVID-19 restrictions despite rising cases and hospitalisations – along with ‘mixed messaging’ over masks – have been condemned as ‘irresponsible and perilous’ by senior doctors.

Practice workload will spike after 19 July in line with rapidly rising COVID-19 cases if government plans to drop restrictions go ahead, GP leaders have warned – amid calls for use of masks in primary care to continue.

Practice workload will spike after 19 July in line with rapidly rising COVID-19 cases if government plans to drop restrictions go ahead, GP leaders have warned – amid calls for use of masks in primary care to continue.

Practice workload will spike after 19 July in line with rapidly rising COVID-19 cases if government plans to drop restrictions go ahead, GP leaders have warned – amid calls for use of masks in primary care to continue.

Significant gaps in COVID-19 vaccination rates between areas could increase health inequality as the government eases pandemic restrictions and drive up GP workload in underdoctored areas.

Significant gaps in COVID-19 vaccination rates between areas could increase health inequality as the government eases pandemic restrictions and drive up GP workload in underdoctored areas.

Significant gaps in COVID-19 vaccination rates between areas could increase health inequality as the government eases pandemic restrictions and drive up GP workload in underdoctored areas.

Doctors’ leaders have condemned government plans to scrap most COVID-19 rules from 19 July as ‘incredibly concerning’ – warning that with cases and hospitalisations rising fast the move will put patients and the NHS at risk.

Doctors’ leaders have condemned government plans to scrap most COVID-19 rules from 19 July as ‘incredibly concerning’ – warning that with cases and hospitalisations rising fast the move will put patients and the NHS at risk.

Doctors’ leaders have condemned government plans to scrap most COVID-19 rules from 19 July as ‘incredibly concerning’ – warning that with cases and hospitalisations rising fast the move will put patients and the NHS at risk.

The chief executive of pharmacy chain Boots has apologised for claiming primary care ‘disappeared’ in the pandemic, in comments that left GPs and practice staff feeling ‘insulted and demoralised’.

The chief executive of pharmacy chain Boots has apologised for claiming primary care ‘disappeared’ in the pandemic, in comments that left GPs and practice staff feeling ‘insulted and demoralised’.

The chief executive of pharmacy chain Boots has apologised for claiming primary care ‘disappeared’ in the pandemic, in comments that left GPs and practice staff feeling ‘insulted and demoralised’.

Doctors’ leaders have warned the government against removing COVID-19 restrictions too quickly as the government prepares to confirm how rules will be eased in a fortnight’s time.

Doctors’ leaders have warned the government against removing COVID-19 restrictions too quickly as the government prepares to confirm how rules will be eased in a fortnight’s time.

Doctors’ leaders have warned the government against removing COVID-19 restrictions too quickly as the government prepares to confirm how rules will be eased in a fortnight’s time.

Doctors’ leaders have warned the government against removing COVID-19 restrictions too quickly as the government prepares to confirm how rules will be eased in a fortnight’s time.

BMA leaders have raised concerns over vaccine supply as an update to the green book backed a minimum eight-week interval between doses of all types of COVID-19 vaccine.

BMA leaders have raised concerns over vaccine supply as an update to the green book backed a minimum eight-week interval between doses of all types of COVID-19 vaccine.

BMA leaders have raised concerns over vaccine supply as an update to the green book backed a minimum eight-week interval between doses of all types of COVID-19 vaccine.

BMA leaders have raised concerns over vaccine supply as an update to the green book backed a minimum eight-week interval between doses of all types of COVID-19 vaccine.

NHS England has set out plans to deliver COVID-19 booster and flu jabs at a ‘single appointment’ from 6 September – but BMA leaders have criticised plans for a 75% ‘cap’ on vaccinations by GPs.

NHS England has set out plans to deliver COVID-19 booster and flu jabs at a ‘single appointment’ from 6 September – but BMA leaders have criticised plans for a 75% ‘cap’ on vaccinations by GPs.

NHS England has set out plans to deliver COVID-19 booster and flu jabs at a ‘single appointment’ from 6 September – but BMA leaders have criticised plans for a 75% ‘cap’ on vaccinations by GPs.

NHS England has set out plans to deliver COVID-19 booster and flu jabs at a ‘single appointment’ from 6 September – but BMA leaders have criticised plans for a 75% ‘cap’ on vaccinations by GPs.

PCN targets for 2021 should be pushed back to April next year at the earliest – and the COVID booster campaign must be based on the local model GPs use every year for flu jabs, the BMA has warned ministers.

PCN targets for 2021 should be pushed back to April next year at the earliest – and the COVID booster campaign must be based on the local model GPs use every year for flu jabs, the BMA has warned ministers.

Over-70s, clinically vulnerable patients and health and care staff could be offered COVID-19 booster jabs from 1 September alongside flu vaccination, the government has said.

Over-70s, clinically vulnerable patients and health and care staff could be offered COVID-19 booster jabs from 1 September alongside flu vaccination, the government has said.

A two-dose schedule involving one dose each of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines generates a ‘robust immune response’, a study has found.

A two-dose schedule involving one dose each of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines generates a ‘robust immune response’, a study has found.

Around 400 adults per average GP practice are likely to have had long COVID, according to research that reveals how widespread the condition is and hints at its potential workload impact in primary care.

The government has no plans to impose face-to-face appointments targets on general practice, the health and social care secretary has told the BMA.

The UK’s chief medical adviser has warned that new coronavirus variants may force the NHS to re-vaccinate the entire population in the next two to three years – and predicted a ‘difficult’ winter ahead.

All people working in care homes – including GPs visiting patients – will be required by law from October to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the government has confirmed.

NHS England is set to commission a £30m GP enhanced service for long COVID to boost identification, assessment and management of the condition in primary care.

All adults should be able to book their first COVID-19 jab by the ‘end of this week’ according to NHS England, while more than 30m people UK-wide have now received both doses of vaccine.

Second doses of COVID-19 vaccines in England will be ‘accelerated’ for all over 40s prime minister Boris Johnson has said, as he revealed that current restrictions will remain in place until 19 July in a bid to ‘double jab’ as many people as possible.

NHS England has promised £30m for general practice to improve diagnosis and care of long COVID as part of a £100m package to boost care for patients with the condition.

COVID-19 vaccination will be offered to over-25s across England from 8 June and could expand to children from late summer – while in Wales all adults will be invited for a first dose by 14 June.

COVID-19 vaccination will be offered to over-25s across England from 8 June and could expand to children from late summer – while in Wales all adults will be invited for a first dose by 14 June.

COVID-19 vaccination will be offered to over-25s across England from 8 June and could expand to children from late summer – while in Wales all adults will be invited for a first dose by 14 June.

COVID-19 vaccination will be offered to over-25s across England from 8 June and could expand to children from late summer – while in Wales all adults will be invited for a first dose by 14 June.

COVID-19 vaccination will be offered to over-25s across England from 8 June and could expand to children from late summer – while in Wales all adults will be invited for a first dose by 14 June.

Parts of England with the highest rates of COVID-19 cases have delivered a sharp increase in vaccinations over the past fortnight, analysis by GPonline confirms.

Parts of England with the highest rates of COVID-19 cases have delivered a sharp increase in vaccinations over the past fortnight, analysis by GPonline confirms.

Parts of England with the highest rates of COVID-19 cases have delivered a sharp increase in vaccinations over the past fortnight, analysis by GPonline confirms.

Parts of England with the highest rates of COVID-19 cases have delivered a sharp increase in vaccinations over the past fortnight, analysis by GPonline confirms.

More than three quarters of UK adults have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine – as ministers praised NHS staff for their ‘momentous efforts’.

More than three quarters of UK adults have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine – as ministers praised NHS staff for their ‘momentous efforts’.

More than three quarters of UK adults have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine – as ministers praised NHS staff for their ‘momentous efforts’.

More than three quarters of UK adults have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine – as ministers praised NHS staff for their ‘momentous efforts’.

The MHRA has approved a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine developed by Janssen for use in the UK, with 20m doses bought by the government to begin arriving later this year.

The MHRA has approved a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine developed by Janssen for use in the UK, with 20m doses bought by the government to begin arriving later this year.

Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock ‘should have been fired’ on 15 or 20 occasions during the pandemic – including for lying in cabinet and to the public, Boris Johnson’s former adviser Dominic Cummings has told MPs.