Editorial | Vulnerable must be given jabs priority

With the mask mandate and other restrictions having been lifted for weeks, the Covid-19 crisis is fading in the minds of many. This has resulted in the public becoming less vigilant, but the threats, as experts have warned, are far from over. The government has had to adjust its strategies accordingly to engage the city on enhanced health protection.

The latest step is an appeal for high-risk groups to receive yet another dose of vaccine. According to an official health advisory group, those concerned should come forward for a booster six months after their previous shot or infection, regardless of how many doses they have received.

The target groups are people aged 50 or older, including care home residents, adults aged 18 to 49 with underlying comorbidities, those aged at least six months with immunocompromised conditions, pregnant women and healthcare workers. Others may consider getting one shot “based on personal choice”, as the benefits for public health protection from wider coverage are said to be limited.

Whether the target groups will heed the advice remains to be seen. The fact that infections are no longer tallied and isolated for treatment may give the impression that it is time for the city to lower its guard in the return to normality. This is also reflected in recent falls in daily vaccination figures but, as experts rightly caution, it is still necessary to protect people at higher risk because Covid has become endemic. The advice is also in line with the latest risk-based vaccination strategy released by the World Health Organization.

Officials have decided that those in high-risk groups may receive an additional shot free of charge, while others will have to pay for their fourth and fifth jabs. Children not in the priority group can still receive their first three doses for free. Hopefully, this will provide an incentive for more people to come forward.