CARE home residents and staff are set to be among the first to top up their immunity against Covid-19 as the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme moves to the next phase.

The autumn booster rollout begins today with England’s care home residents, staff and people who are housebound first in line to receive their booster vaccine ahead of winter.

The NHS will contact people when it’s their turn to book an appointment.

Invites will start landing on doormats across the region from September 7 inviting those most at risk to book an appointment for the week beginning September 12 through the National Booking Service.

Those eligible may also be invited to book an appointment by their local GP practice.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) announced that the following groups will be eligible for a Covid-19 booster this autumn to protect themselves over the winter months:

  • Residents and staff in care homes for older adults
  • Frontline health and social care workers
  • All adults aged 50 years and over
  • Those aged 5 to 49 years who are in a clinical at risk group*
  • Those aged 5 to 49 years and are household contacts of people with immunosuppression and those aged 16 to 49 years who are carers*

If someone is in one of the above groups, they should book an appointment as soon as they are invited to do so. 

As with previous campaigns, the oldest and most vulnerable will be called forward first and book an appointment if it has been at least three months since their last dose.

The NHS will continue to advise local sites to allow people with a weakened immune system to self-declare and attend walk-ins to make getting the extra protection as easy as possible.

The flu vaccination programme also starts today with many people who are eligible for a Covid-19 booster also eligible for their annual flu vaccine. For some, this may be able to be given at the same time as the Covid-19 vaccine, and it is safe to do this, but for some people it may need to be given at a different time and / or place.

Dr Julie Yates, Lead Consultant for Screening and Immunisation, NHS England South West said: ‘As we move into winter months we know Covid and flu will be circulating.

‘The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get both vaccinations if you are eligible to have them.

‘As you soon as you receive an invite, either through the post or by a call from your GP practice, please book your vaccination appointments as soon as possible.’