Until very recently when the anti-scientific zealots led by the unhinged Robert Kennedy started limiting access to the Covid vaccines, the US recommended that most people needed at least an annual vaccine and in the case of the elderly and clinically vulnerable, every six months. The UK by comparison had much more limited access with only those over 65 and a very limited group of those classed as extremely clinical vulnerable entitled to receive it free on the NHS. This has resulted in many clinically vulnerable having no access to the vaccine as well as pregnant women and children.

The virus is not seasonal, as was originally thought and indeed last year the largest wave was in summer, and it looks as if that might also the case this year. Up until this year the autumn booster, delivered via the NHS, has been available to those over 65 (as well as the limited extremely clinically vulnerable group) but the JCVI, who advise the government on vaccine access have announced (mainly on grounds of cost) that the vaccine this autumn will only be free to those over 75! This is a further limitation of the vaccine’s availability to older people and flies in the face of all scientific research.

At present scientists and physicians are warning about a big summer wave of the sub variant nicknamed Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) It has already devastated the Far East and California and has been found recently in the UK and Europe. Scientists point out that the new sub variant is even more infectious than previous ones as it has considerable mutations. Most people in this country have not been vaccinated for well over a year and for many it’s been several years and as a result have very little remaining immunity to the virus. So it is expected that many will be hospitalised and will succumb to infection, although in the vast majority of cases not resulting in death. Scientists, including Professor Stephen Griffin from Independent Sage, have warned that the further reduction in the numbers who can access the vaccine for free is a short-term decision which will result in a significant increase in illness with resulting increase in the numbers in the workforce off sick. It’s also well known that the more reinfections a person has increases the risk of Long Covid considerably and a further decrease in those capable of working because of long-term illness.

Much of the problem with low vaccine take up has been the nonstop anti-vaxxer propaganda which has come to a head with the Trump regime in the US, where access to vaccines has now been blocked for many people. Repeated studies have shown that for the vast majority of people the Covid vaccines are perfectly safe and although a small minority have had side effects these are nothing compared to the impact of Covid which, apart from Long Covid, can result in increasing strokes and heart attacks as well as brain damage, including dementia. To remove free access to the vaccine for those over 65, their carers and many clinically vulnerable people is a hugely retrograde step and is a ticking time bomb, both economically and in terms of health. We need more vaccine access not less.