A life-saving booster jab will be available from next month for those who are most at risk from Covid. Following updated advice from the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the NHS has outlined the next phase of the Covid vaccination programme.
An autumn booster jab will be offered to everyone over the age of 50, those who are at the highest risk from serious illness, such as pregnant women and people with long-term health conditions, as well as frontline health and social care workers. Extensive planning for the rollout is under way in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and the National Booking Service is set to open on September 5 to over-75s and frontline health and social care workers, with jabs being administered from September 12 onwards.
As with previous vaccination phases, the oldest and most vulnerable will be called up first, with people able to book online or through the 119 phone service, as long as it has been three months since their last dose. Once the most vulnerable have booked an appointment, the remaining eligible groups will then begin to be called up.
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Flu vaccines will also be available to everyone aged over 50 from September. Amanda Sullivan, chief executive of NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “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. Our staff have been working very hard to prepare and a number of vaccination sites across the city and county will be able to be booked into from 5 September onwards.
“Vaccination against Covid-19 is our best defence against becoming very unwell and we have already seen what a difference this has made within our own hospitals. I would urge all those who are eligible to book in for a jab to make sure they have topped up their immunity ahead of this winter.”
The NHS will contact people when it is their turn to book a Covid-19 vaccine - you do not need to contact the NHS to arrange an appointment until the booking system has opened on September 5. Vaccination in care homes will also take place from September 5 and these will be arranged with care homes directly.
The NHS will also be rolling out the flu vaccine from September 1 and health bosses are encouraging eligible people to book a flu jab through their GP or local pharmacy. Some eligible individuals may be offered the flu and Covid jab at the same time.
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