Boris Johnson urged the public to get their booster jabs as he addressed the nation this week warning the UK over potential Christmas lockdowns and Covid “storm clouds” forming in central Europe.
It was announced on Monday that the booster programme will be extended to include people aged 40 and over.
Mr Johnson said getting a top-up jab “will become an important fact”, in light of research showing waning immunity after two doses.
The Prime Minister refused to rule out the possibility of Covid lockdown restrictions returning this Christmas.
He said there was currently nothing in the current data that suggests the government will need to move to Plan B, which would see lockdown restrictions return.
However, he admitted "we cannot rule anything out" as he urged Brits to go out and get the jab.
The Prime Minister also said he is “making plans” to include booster jabs to be considered “fully vaccinated” when travelling abroad for self-isolation rules.
During the Downing Street press conference on Tuesday, Mr Johnson told Brits they would find “life easier in all kinds of ways” if they were to get the Booster jab.
Booster jab does not currently show on NHS Covid app
However, users of the NHS app have said their Covid ‘passports’ are not updating to show they have had their booster jab.
Reports claim the evidence of a booster jab does not show in the domestic or travel section of the app despite some countries asking for it as proof of official proof of vaccination status.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care explained the reason for this.
They said: “Currently, booster vaccinations are not required for domestic certification in England or at the UK border and are not currently displayed in the NHS Covid Pass.
“We know some countries are altering their vaccination requirements, so we continue to keep this under review to ensure British citizens can travel abroad as easily as possible.”
Which? welcome move to tackle ‘urgent’ problem with NHS Covid app
Rory Boland, Which? travel editor, said: “It’s welcome news that the Government is looking to add evidence of booster vaccinations to the NHS app.
“This issue has some urgency as other countries have already introduced the requirement to have had a booster jab as they limit the validity of vaccines, but with UK residents currently unable to provide evidence that they have done so they risk being turned away from the plane on their next trip.
“Until booster jabs are added to vaccine certificates on the NHS app, you should carefully check the requirements of the country you’re planning on visiting before booking. Booking a package holiday with a tour provider that has a good flexible booking policy will help protect your money if restrictions change at the last minute.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article