The NHS will introduce a new generation of bivalent Covid-19 vaccines to kick off the autumn booster rollout.
Becoming the first healthcare system in the world to use the new vaccine, the NHS will set out plans for its next phase of the Covid-19 vaccination programme. The vaccine programme is set to start during the week of September 5 and will see NHS staff start off by vaccinating care home residents and those who are housebound.
Meanwhile, the National Booking Service will open in the week ahead of the wider rollout - September 12 - with the NHS expected to invite the most vulnerable groups and those aged 75 to book an appointment from that week. Those who are invited to take the vaccine can either book online or dial 119 as long as it has been three months since their previous dose of the Covid vaccine.
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It is believed that around 26 million people across England will be eligible for an autumn booster. Furthermore, as many as 3,000 sites are expected to be part of the rollout programme and will cover GP practices and community pharmacies.
So far, more than 126 million Covid vaccines have been administered by NHS staff and volunteers since the first jab was delivered to Maggie Keenan in Coventry in December 2020. NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: "The NHS was the first healthcare system in the world to deliver a Covid-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials, and will now be the first to deliver the new, variant-busting vaccine when the rollout begins at the start of September.
"Our fantastic NHS staff have worked incredibly hard to deliver 126 million doses to date and behind the scenes, they have once again been preparing to deliver the latest phase with the same speed and precision as we have had throughout the rollout. When the time comes, I would strongly encourage anyone who is invited to take up both an autumn booster and flu jab, to do so as quickly as possible - it will give you maximum protection this winter."
It comes following updated advice from the JCVI on Monday which states that original iterations of the vaccine should still provide good protection to people while still urging the public to come forward regardless of which vaccine will be offered to them.
NHS director for vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: "This winter will be the first time we see the real effects of both covid and flu in full circulation as we go about life as normal - and so it is vital that those most susceptible to serious illness from these viruses come forward for the latest jab in order to protect themselves.
“We know that our GPs and community pharmacies have been integral to the success of the NHS Vaccination Programme due to their locations and relationships with local communities, and so it is fantastic that so many have opted to be part of the latest phase of the campaign.
"The NHS will contact you when it is your turn to get an autumn booster and will be inviting the first people outside of a care home to book in ahead of the formal rollout in early September - please book in as quickly as possible when invited to give yourself protection this winter."
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