MHRA statement on expansion of the COVID-19 vaccination booster programme
A statement from Dr June Raine on expansion of the COVID-19 vaccination booster programme.
Dr June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive said:
鈥淭he public can be confident that our robust regulatory assessment supports the JCVI鈥檚 recommended extension to the vaccination campaign. This further strengthens our ability to ensure people are protected against COVID-19 and saves lives.
鈥淥ur safety monitoring to date shows that鈥疌OVID-19 vaccines鈥痗ontinue to be safe and effective for鈥痶he vast majority of鈥痯eople. The vast majority of鈥痳eactions which are reported relate to expected side effects such as injection site reactions and flu-like symptoms, as was seen in our initial assessment.鈥疧ur proactive monitoring of the safety of booster doses does not raise any new concerns.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥痟ave鈥痗ontinued鈥痶o carefully scrutinise all the data we have available to us鈥痑nd our鈥痳obust surveillance programme includes monitoring all suspected reactions for鈥痽oung people and adolescents as well as adults.鈥疻e ensure all鈥痵uspected reports are carefully followed up. When you are called for your booster dose, you can come forward confident that the benefits in preventing serious COVID-19 far outweigh any risks.鈥�