A booster vaccine programme for the most vulnerable people is likely to begin in September, it has been announced.

The move was proposed by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in advance of the findings of clinical trials of booster injections. The committee has proposed that the vulnerable get a double injection of a booster dose and a flu vaccine. From September this will be offered to immunosuppressed adults, frontline health and social care workers and all adults over the age of 70.

The advice has been described as “interim”, leading to the government making preparations for the booster programme. As well as considering the results of clinical trials, the committee will have to decide whether booster doses are specifically tailored against the Delta variant or other variants.

Health secretary Sajid Javid said: “We welcome this interim advice, which will help us ensure we are ready in our preparations for autumn. We look forward to receiving the committee’s final advice in due course. We need to learn to live with this virus. Our first COVID-19 vaccination programme is restoring freedom in this country, and our booster programme will protect this freedom. We are working with the NHS to make sure we can rapidly deliver this programme to maintain protection for people in the winter months. Dependent on final advice, the booster programme will be designed to protect as many vulnerable people as possible from becoming seriously ill due to COVID-19 over the winter period.”

Professor Wei Shen Lim, COVID-19 chair for JCVI, said: “The primary objective of any potential COVID-19 booster vaccine programme should be to reduce serious disease, including death. The JCVI’s interim advice is that, should a booster programme be required, a third COVID-19 vaccine dose should be offered to the most vulnerable first, starting from September 2021 to maximise individual protection and safeguard the NHS ahead of winter. Almost all these people would also be eligible for the annual flu vaccine and are strongly advised to have the flu vaccine. We will continue to review emerging scientific data over the next few months, including data relating to the duration of immunity from the current vaccines. Our final advice on booster vaccination may change substantially.”

The British Medical Association said the planning should include funding and support for practices, who are likely to be expected to deliver much of the programme.

BMA GP committee chair Dr Richard Vautrey said: “Having so effectively led the COVID-19 vaccination campaign right from the start, and with their proven track record of delivering flu jabs every year, GPs and their teams must be enabled to play a pivotal role in the booster programme, delivering both vaccinations directly to local communities from their practices. The Government must listen to practices when they outline the support they need so they are able to build on the incredible success of the last six months and help us to protect as many patients as possible.”