The leading scientist in the development of the AstraZeneca vaccine has spoken out against booster vaccinations across the UK. Instead, countries with low vaccination rates should be given the vaccine, said Sarah Gilbert of the Oxford University Daily Telegraph newspaper (Friday edition).

Booster vaccination is useful for older people and people with weakened immune systems. For the majority, however, the vaccine’s protective effect is good, Gilbert continued.

In Germany, a third vaccination is sometimes offered to people in need of care, people over 80, and those who are immunocompromised. A recommendation from the Permanent Immunization Commission (Stico) is still pending.

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Gilbert continued, by distributing the vaccine to countries with low vaccination rates, the emergence of new forms could be countered. “When the virus spreads to people, it mutates, adapts, and evolves like the delta version,” Gilbert says. It is important to stop this as soon as possible.

In Great Britain, a decision by the Immunization Commission on a recommendation regarding booster vaccinations nationwide is expected in the coming days. The British medicine agency MHRA approved vaccines from AstraZeneca and Biotech for this only on Thursday. (dpa)