COVID-19 Spring Booster Vaccination
This spring, the NHS is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to those at highest risk from severe illness. Protection against the virus fades over time, so all people aged 75 and above by 30 June 2023, or aged 5 and above with a weakened immune system, can now get an appointment.
Who can get one
Following JCVI guidance, the following groups of people will be offered a booster this spring:
•adults aged 75 and over
•residents in a care home for older adults
•people aged 5 and over who have a severely weakened immune system.
What is the definition of a weakened immune system?
A person may be considered to have a weakened immune system due to, for example:
• A blood cancer such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma
• An organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant
• HIV infection at all stages
• Genetic disorders affecting the immune system
• Treatment such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• Certain medicines that increase your risk of infection, such as Azathioprine, Dexamethasone, Prednisolone, Ciclosporin or Mycophenolate (depending on your dosage)
• Long-term immunosuppressive treatment for conditions including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, scleroderma and psoriasis
If you are at increased risk from COVID-19 due to a medical condition, but you do not have a weakened immune system, you are not able to get a further COVID-19 vaccination this spring. You should still have adequate protection against severe COVID-19 from previous doses.
Why Boost
Like some other vaccines, levels of protection may decline over time. Vaccinations are being offer to those as greatest risk this spring to help them to maintain strong protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if they catch COVID-19.
How to Book
You can book for an appointment via:
If you’re eligible for a vaccination this spring, you will receive a text message, email, NHS App message or letter from the NHS when it’s your turn to come forward.
1.NHS App,
2. the NHS website (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-19-services/covid-19-vaccination-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/)
3. call 119 for free.
Please do not ring the practice and use the above ports to access appointments if eligible.
Any queries can be dealt with when you attend the vaccination centre before vaccination.
What if I am housebound?
If you have previously been offered the vaccination by our district nurses, you will be contacted again for your vaccination if elligible. You do not need to contact us to book this.
If the practice does not have your registered as housebound, please inform the surgery of your housebound status. This applies to those that are bedbound and can not leave their home. Please note that if you are able to get in a car and can attend the practice car park, you will receive your vaccination sooner and your vaccination can be facilitated. Please let us know if this is needed on arrival.
When to Book
You can book an appointment from 5 April, with the first appointments to take place on 17 April. They will be on offer until 30 June, and 29 June is the last day that you can book.
