Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Booster dose to be added to NHS Covid pass for entry to nightclubs

The exemption will change to include a third jab when all adults have had a “reasonable chance” to get theirs.

Aine Fox
Monday 13 December 2021 19:04 GMT
Boosters will be added to the Covid pass for entry into clubs and other venues once all adults have had a chance to get a third jab (Richard McCarthy/PA)
Boosters will be added to the Covid pass for entry into clubs and other venues once all adults have had a chance to get a third jab (Richard McCarthy/PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Revellers using their vaccination status to get into nightclubs will have to show they have had a booster jab as part of future plans, the Health Secretary has said.

MPs are due to vote on Tuesday on the requirement for NHS Covid passes in England, which would come into effect from Wednesday.

Currently, these show a person’s vaccine details or test results.

Once all adults have had a reasonable chance to get their booster jab, we intend to change this exemption to require a booster dose.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid

Sajid Javid told Parliament on Monday that it is the Government’s intention to include proof of a booster jab, once all adults have had a chance to get theirs.

He said: “From Wednesday – subject to this House’s approval – you’ll need to show a negative lateral flow test to get into nightclubs and large events, with an exemption for the double vaccinated.

“Once all adults have had a reasonable chance to get their booster jab, we intend to change this exemption to require a booster dose.”

He said it is “misleading” to say MPs are being asked to vote on “vaccine passports”.

He told the Commons: “The Government has been absolutely clear about when it talks about access to nightclubs or to very large gatherings … that the requirement is to take a free lateral flow test and make sure it’s negative.

“And if you don’t want to do that then you can prove your vaccine status. It’s up to that individual. That’s not a vaccine passport and the sooner we get rid of this misleading description of what the Government is proposing, the better.”

On Sunday night in a televised address to the nation, Boris Johnson told the public that, in the face of “a tidal wave of Omicron” it is “now clear that two doses of vaccine are simply not enough to give the level of protection we all need”.

He added that scientists are “confident” that, with a booster, “we can all bring our level of protection back up”.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in