UK scientists look at reducing boosters to save vaccine for rest of the world

Scientists in the UK are investigating whether smaller doses of COVID-19 vaccines could be used as part of booster programmes, stretching the supply of vaccines across the world, The Guardian reported Sunday.

Several members of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are said to be interested in the idea of using "fractional doses."

The effect of using lower doses in booster jabs is one of the questions being explored in an ongoing Cov-Boost trial, with its findings informing the JCVI's decisions about an autumn booster programme, alongside data from other trials and studies.

However, some researchers have warned that it is possible the approach could lead to greater vaccine resistance, but that could be offset by fewer people being infected.