The latest Covid-19 booster is being rolled out and millions of people are in line to receive the autumn jab. Those aged 75 and over, people who are immunosuppressed, and health and care workers will be among the first to be able to book.
As the vaccination programme moves to the next phase, it is those in care homes across the East Midlands who are being offered the booster first, with teams heading out to around 200 care homes across the region from Monday, September 5. From Wednesday, September 7, over two million people in other groups will receive their invitations to either book online or call 119.
The NHS says it will contact people when it is their turn – you do not need to contact the NHS. Invites will be landing on doormats across the region from Wednesday with people able to book their appointment for the following week.
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More than 10 million COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the East Midlands since the NHS made history when the first COVID-19 jab was delivered outside of clinical trials to Maggie Keenan in Coventry in December 2020. Around 260 sites in the East Midlands are expected to be part of the latest rollout, including GP practices and community pharmacies, with new sites joining the programme all the time.
Roz Lindridge, Director of Commissioning at NHS England and NHS Improvement in the Midlands, said: “Ahead of winter Autumn boosters are vital in helping to top up the immunity of the elderly and the most vulnerable across the Midlands to ensure they are protected from the dangers of COVID-19. We have already protected millions of people in the region at speed thanks to the efforts of our staff, GPs, pharmacies and volunteers. They will once again rise to the Autumn booster challenge.
“There is no need to contact the NHS – when you are eligible for your ‘Autumn boost’ of protection, we will be in touch so you can book your appointment at one of the many vaccination sites across the region”.
The autumn booster campaign is among a package of NHS measures to prepare for winter as the health service continues to face record demand on its urgent and emergency care services, including by ramping up bed capacity, increasing the number of 999 and NHS 111 staff, and working with colleagues in social care to ensure patients can be discharged in a timely manner.
Around 26 million people across England will be eligible for an autumn booster over the comings weeks. As with previous campaigns, the oldest and most vulnerable will be called forward first, with people eligible as long as it has been three months since their last dose. Over 50s, those with a weakened immune system, health and social care workers and care home residents and housebound people, will also be in line for the booster according to guidance set out by the JCVI.
The NHS in the East Midlands will also be rolling out the flu vaccine and encouraging eligible people to take up the offer where possible. Eligible individuals may be offered the flu and COVID jab at the same time subject to supply, with the doses approved to be co-administered.
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