This week the Government has approved plans for COVID-19 boosters for eligible groups. Over the coming weeks our teams will now start offering booster jabs to people in eligible groups as the vaccination programme moves to the next stage. The same priority groups will be offered the boosters in phases. This means care home residents, health and social care workers, people aged over 50, those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19, adult carers, and adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals will be offered a booster. Vaccines will be delivered through existing vaccination sites including pharmacies, hospital hubs, GP practices and vaccine centres. Local NHS areas will be prioritising care home residents and staff ensuring they are offered a vaccine by the beginning of November. People do not need to contact the NHS to arrange their booster vaccine, our teams will be in touch when they become eligible for the jab with around 4.5 million people in priority groups eligible for a booster over the coming weeks. People will get a call or text from their local GP led site to get the jab, or will be invited by the National Booking Service, which will start issuing invitations from next week. Booster jabs are effective for topping up protection for people who have had both of their jabs from at the very least six months on after their second dose. Read more about our plans for the booster programme. |