Covid and flu vaccines could eventually be mixed into one injection to save time and make future booster programmes more convenient, it was claimed today.

Dr Matthew Duchars, chief executive officer of the Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC), claimed the facility in Oxford is looking into whether a single jab could be given to protect people against the virus and the flu.

Minister have not yet confirmed booster jabs will be given this autumn, with No10 waiting on advice from its expert panel before pressing ahead with plans. 

But Health Secretary Sajid Javid said last week that the UK 'will be able to start the booster programme' from next month, if the Government is given the green light. 

Up to 32million over-50s could be invited for top-up jabs, which may be dished out at the same time as the annual flu vaccine. 

Whitehall sources said the plan this autumn is to administer Covid and flu jabs at the same time in different arms. 

But Dr Duchars told the Telegraph that the VMIC was looking at combining the two for future roll-outs.

He said: 'It will save a lot of time and it would be a lot more convenient to just give one shot, so it is something that we and vaccine developers and producers will be looking at.

'Let's say we do need to give a seasonal vaccine, and people need one shot for flu, and one shot for Covid and another for something else.

'If you can put them all into one, then that's obviously preferable.'

The Oxford-based VMIC was announced in 2018 as the UK's first ever vaccine-making hub and was due to open in 2022.