From today eligible people will start to receive invites to come forward and receive their spring booster jabs by the NHS Covid vaccination programme. Those aged 75 and over and those who are immunosuppressed will be able to book from 7am as the scheme enters its latest phase.
Under the programme the spring booster is being offered to those who are most vulnerable to coronavirus as a precautionary measure, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Eligible groups will be invited to book their jab by the NHS, through the national booking service.
This can be accessed either online at nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119, which are free with lines open every day from 8am to 8pm. Around five million people will be able to get a spring booster, with more than 600,000 set to be invited to book theirs this week.
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Nikki Kanani, GP and Deputy SRO for the NHS COVID Vaccination Programme, said: “Sadly, we are still seeing large numbers of people seriously unwell in hospital with covid so it remains vital that those most at risk come forward when they are invited to do so.
“The response so far from the public to the largest and most successful vaccination programme in NHS history has been incredible, with more than nine in 10 people aged 75 and over getting their initial booster. The NHS Covid vaccination programme is once again ready to get people protected, so when you are invited please come forward for your spring dose.”
NHS health chiefs are expecting high uptake of spring boosters amongst people aged 75 and over after 4.5 million of them got their top up jab over autumn and winter, and have recruited additional call handlers for the 119 service to help people book their vaccine appointment.
Local NHS teams will be contacting care homes in their patch as they have done previously to arrange for spring boosters for people who are eligible and have been invited.
Hundreds of sites including community pharmacies, vaccination centres and hospital hubs are offering spring boosters to those most vulnerable to coronavirus. It’s also been made earlier for immunosuppressed people to get their boosters - they can show they are eligible by providing either a letter from a GP team or specialist inviting them for a vaccine, a hospital or GP letter about their medication or treatment, or a prescription or medication box with their name and date on it.
It is still important for severely immunosuppressed people who have been advised to have a third primary dose, for example those undergoing cancer treatment, to get this before getting a booster, for maximum protection from Covid-19.
