Nevertheless, before the program officially closes, the health body did still "strongly encourage everyone who is currently eligible for a first booster and is yet to come forward" and receive one.
17,381 deaths were registered in England and Wales during the seven days ending January 13, which is 2,837 more deaths than the average for this time of year.
"I believe we should stop trying to prevent all symptomatic infections in healthy, young people by boosting them with vaccines containing mRNA from strains that might disappear a few months later," writes doctor.
