Call for COVID third dose for organ transplant patients
Research shows two doses are less effective for those who've had organ transplants
There are calls for the UK to accelerate plans for booster doses of the COVID vaccine for those who've had organ transplants.
After Boris Johnson announced the easing of almost all COVID restrictions will take place on the 19th of July, some transplant patients are worried they could still be at increased risk.
From the 19th, social distancing will no longer be required, nor will masks in public places and capacity restrictions for hospitality and entertainment venues will be dropped.
This has made some people who haven't yet been able to get immunity from the vaccines nervous.
Research from France, which has been giving a third dose to transplant patients since April, shows a significant increase in vaccine efficacy compared to the normal two-dose schedule.
Ministers in the UK have previously said there are plans in the works for a booster vaccine campaign in the Autumn but some want to see this come sooner.
"I've not fought all my life just to be wiped out by a virus. It's not acceptable."
Sarah Jane Robinson from Liverpool suffers from Type 1 diabetes and has undergone a double pancreas and kidney transplant which placed her in the "extremely clinically vulnerable" to COVID category.
She said:
"I've heard talk around a third booster for everyone but with regards to immunosuppressed people, ie transplant patients and people with lupus things like that we are not getting immunity, we need it sooner."
"The government knows that transplant patients have not been immune even after their second vaccination and we need a third."
"They must ensure our safety because our lives matter."
"I didn't go through a 10-hour operation double organ transplant that some selfless donor gifted me to die."
"I've not fought all my life just to be wiped out by a virus. It's not acceptable."
"I'd plead with the government to get us another vaccination."
"I'd say to the government that they really should reconsider the two-metre social distancing rule and still make it legal in public places."
Other organisations have also voiced their concern.
After last night's announcement Blood Cancer UK put out a statement urging others to be mindful of those around them saying: "there's no way of knowing if the person next to you is immunocompromised.
We've asked the Department for Health for a Statement.