People aged 75 and over, care home residents and immunosuppressed can now book spring Covid booster
ITV News Science Editor Deborah Coen on what extra boosters mean to the most vulnerable in our society
People aged 75 and over, care home residents and the immunosuppressed aged 12 and over, can now book a spring Covid booster vaccine.
The second booster or fourth jab will be made available to around five million people, with 600,000 expected to receive invitations in the first week.
Local NHS teams will also be contacting care homes to arrange the jab for people who are eligible and have been invited.
The move comes after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended the spring top-up as a precautionary measure.
Who is eligible and how do I book?
The NHS said it will invite people to arrange a jab through the national booking service, which can be accessed online at nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119, when it is their turn.
People will also be contacted to book appointments.
Recent research from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimated just over 157,000 hospitalisations had been avoided through the vaccination programme since December.
But the NHS said hospitals had still treated more than 100,000 people since the start of the Omicron wave.
Health chiefs are expecting high uptake of spring boosters among people aged 75 and over after 4.5 million of them had their top-up jab over autumn and winter.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Spring boosters will help top up the immunity of the elderly and the most vulnerable to ensure they are protected and will help us continue to live with this virus.
“Thanks to the NHS for rising to the challenge yet again to get people boosted. Please come forward as soon as you are contacted.”
The NHS said it has recruited additional call handlers for the 119 service to help people book their vaccine appointments, while hundreds of sites including community pharmacies, vaccination centres and hospital hubs will administering the booster.
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 do come forward for your spring dose.”