Spring COVID-19 booster vaccines offered to over 75s, older care home residents and immunosuppressed

People in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent aged 75 and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and people aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed are being offered a new Spring COVID-19 booster jab from Monday (21 March).

Everyone who can have the vaccine dose will be contacted by the NHS when they become eligible, at which point they will be able to book an appointment on the National Booking Service. People should wait until they hear from the NHS before booking.

For those who are eligible, the Spring booster dose will be offered at around six months (and no earlier than three months) after their previous dose of the vaccine.

Dr Paddy Hannigan, Clinical Lead for the vaccination programme in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, said: “We know that immunity to COVID-19 begins to wane over time and many of our oldest adults received their most recent vaccine dose in September or October 2021.

“That’s why we’re offering a Spring booster to those people at higher risk of serious COVID-19 to make sure they maintain a high level of protection. It’s important that everyone gets their top-up jabs as soon as they’re eligible for one.

“These individuals are at much higher risk of severe coronavirus so I would urge them to take up the opportunity of a Spring booster jab as soon as they are offered one. The vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the virus.”

Vaccine teams will be visiting older adult care homes and eligible housebound individuals, to ensure that residents and those who are housebound can be offered a Spring booster vaccination in a timely way.

Care home visits will also be an opportunity to offer vaccinations to new residents who have not yet received a full primary course or need a booster, as well as to care home staff who have not yet received a full primary course and a booster.

The independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will keep under review whether the booster programme should be extended to further at-risk groups in the future.

Anyone needing appointments for first, second or booster doses of the vaccine can book them online through the National Booking System by visiting www.nhs.uk, or by calling 119.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccination clinics and how to get your jab please visit https://www.twbstaffsandstoke.org.uk/coronavirus/getting-your-covid-19-vaccination/how-to-get-your-covid-19-vaccination

You don’t need to be registered with a GP or have an NHS number to get your jab, but it will be quicker if you do, so take that information with you if you can.

Don’t miss out. Get vaccinated and get protected.