Health and wellbeing
COVID-19 autumn booster vaccination programme launched
Published on
Certain groups will be eligible for the COVID-19 autumn booster.
The next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Walsall started this week.
Earlier this week, on Monday 5 September, people living in care homes began being offered the COVID-19 autumn booster vaccination. The offer will then be opened up to other eligible groups from Monday 12 September. These groups include older adult care home residents and staff; frontline health and social care workers; people aged 50 and over, unpaid carers aged 16 to 49; people aged 5 to 49 in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women; and household contacts of people with weakened immune systems aged 5 to 49
Once invited, those eligible will be able to book an appointment online via the National Booking System or by calling 119, as long as it has been three months since their last dose.
“ The COVID-19 vaccine has saved lives, helped tens of thousands reduce their risk of becoming seriously ill with the virus and made it safer for us to live with COVID. However, the virus has not gone away and is still making people seriously ill every day.
Vaccination remains our best defence. Getting your COVID autumn booster vaccine is the most important thing you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe this winter.
If you are eligible, when it’s your turn please come forward as soon as possible, for extra protection ahead of winter, when viruses circulate most and can cause the greatest harm.
The offer is also still available for anyone who is yet to have their first, second or initial booster dose, so please come forward if you have not done so already.
As the weather changes, we will be meeting indoors more often and we still need to learn to live safely with respiratory viruses including COVID. Continue to wash your hands regularly, let in the fresh air and wear a face covering in an enclosed space; and if you feel unwell, continue to follow the national guidance. “
“ The NHS has now set out plans for the next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme - the largest and fastest vaccine drive in health service history.
COVID-19 hasn’t gone away so it’s fantastic that we will soon be offering autumn boosters for the most vulnerable people in our communities which will help increase their immunity as we approach winter.
Everyone eligible for a booster dose will be contacted by the NHS when it is their turn, and I would urge anyone who is invited to book their appointment as soon as they can. “
The autumn booster programme will run alongside the annual flu programme, and where possible those eligible will be offered the booster and flu vaccine together.
“ The vaccines are there to give protection to those most vulnerable and prevent them from getting seriously ill from these viruses, and I would encourage anyone who receives an invite for either vaccine to please get booked in as soon as possible. “
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Notes to editor:
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Information about the COVID-19 autumn booster and eligibility can be found on the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-autumn-booster-resources/a-guide-to-the-covid-19-autumn-booster
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Information about the flu vaccine and who is eligible to receive it can be found on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/
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The NHS Black Country ICB provides information about the COVID-19 vaccination, including the autumn booster, on their dedicated webpage: https://blackcountry.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/health-advice/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination
