Brits don’t need fourth Covid jab yet, as expert says PM’s ‘gamble’ has paid off

BOOSTERS are winning the fight against Omicron — so no fourth jab is currently needed, experts said last night.

Meanwhile, Covid cases fell for a third day and the number of patients in hospital and on ventilators in London dropped.

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Analysis also shows over-65s remain 90 per cent less likely to end up in hospital because of Omicron for at least three months after their booster shots.

And the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation says with no evidence of waning protection, it is too early to consider introducing fourth jabs.

Last month, Israel became the first nation to offer fourth doses to the over-60s and health workers.

But JCVI chairman Professor Wei Shen Lim said: “The booster dose is continuing to provide high levels of protection against severe disease, even for the most vulnerable older age groups. 

“For this reason, the committee has concluded there is no immediate need to introduce a second booster dose. The data is highly encouraging and emphasises the value of a booster jab.”

Confirmed Covid cases fell for a third day in a row to 178,250 yesterday. The number of virus patients on ventilators also fell from 762 to 728.

Speaking about Mr Johnson’s decision to stick with Plan B, Sage adviser Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter said: “In a sense, you might consider the Government’s got away with it.”

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