Scientists have suggested that Covid vaccines should be made available for purchase privately, similar to how flu vaccines are currently offered in the UK. The upcoming autumn booster campaign for Covid vaccines has been scaled back, with only over-65s and vulnerable individuals being eligible, unlike previous campaigns that included adults aged 50-65. Leading experts, including a member of the government’s vaccine advisory panel, believe that allowing private access to Covid vaccines could be beneficial. Pharmacies such as Boots and Superdrug currently offer flu vaccines privately for around £20. The call for private access comes as Covid cases continue to rise, raising concerns of another wave of infections in the coming months. Covid vaccines are currently only available to those eligible on the NHS. Some scientists have also called for the return of face masks due to the emergence of a new variant, BA.2.86. However, others have argued that it is too early to panic and that strict restrictions may not be necessary. Health chiefs have confirmed that Covid and flu vaccines will only be offered to over-65s this winter, with millions aged 50-64 no longer eligible. Concerns have also been raised about a new variant, BA.6, which has a high number of mutations in the spike protein. The spike protein is the target of current vaccines. Experts have argued that allowing private access to Covid vaccines, with subsidies for those who cannot afford them, could help mitigate the impact of potential future waves of infections. Pharmaceutical companies are not prohibited from selling Covid vaccines privately in the UK, but there is currently no blanket restriction.
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