SAJID Javid today confirmed ministers will look at updating the definition of fully vaccinated to include booster jabs.

The Health Secretary said the waning effectiveness of the vaccine over time means the change may be needed "in due course".

His remarks raise the likelihood over 50s will need to have had the top up shot if they want to travel abroad next summer.

He said: "In due course we will have to look at what constitutes vaccination. It's something we have to keep under review.

"I can't rule that out and we know now that the vaccines do wane and it's important that where necessary people get a top up."

But he added: "We're not looking at that yet. We are very focussed on our booster programme."

His remarks come after it emerged Brits who fail to get the third Covid jab will face renewed travel restrictions.

Ministers are planning to reintroduce quarantine and testing for those people in a bid to protect the UK against new Covid strains.

Under the new plans, travellers would not be able to use proof of a negative Covid test to go abroad.

Instead, they would only be able to travel with proof of the booster shot.

Vaccine protection declines over months and so the third jab can top up immunity for the winter months and prevent deaths.

On Friday night, a Government source told the Mail on Sunday: "This is not going to happen immediately – but happen it will."

The move would change the definition of "fully vaccinated" to mean having all three Covid shots.

But the plans are likely to be controversial as only 60 per cent of those eligible to receive the booster shot have gotten it.

Last month care minister Gillian Keegan said the change is likely to be made before next summer's holiday season.

The move would affect millions of sun seekers hoping for a hassle-free getaway to the continent.

Ms Keegan said: "The advice at the moment is the double jabbed vaccination. But of course that will evolve over time as the third dose comes in.

"It would be unreasonable to say right now when we've only just started the programme, we're trying to get this balance. It's two doses for now.

"But as the vaccine passport concept will evolve there will be 'if you've had your booster' because it's probably not going to be good for next summer."

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