JCVI advice to mitigate impact of B1.617.2 variant

The advice is specific to circumstances in the UK at this time.

Professor Wei Shen Lim, COVID-19 Chair for JCVI, said:

Due to the rapid rise in cases of the B1.617.2 Variant of Concern and notable transmission in parts of the country, the JCVI advises that every effort is made to promote vaccine uptake in those who remain unvaccinated in priority cohorts 1 to 9 – these people remain at highest risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.

Where vaccine supply allows, particularly in areas where B1.617.2 is a major threat, the second dose of vaccine should be brought forward from 12 to 8 weeks. This is only possible because everyone in the Phase 1 priority groups has already been offered a first dose.

Alongside these measures, the vaccine programme should continue to be rolled out as quickly as possible. The capacity of vaccination centres should be maximised to enable rapid rollout.