COVID-19 autumn booster – what we know so far

COVID-19 autumn booster – what we know so far

COVID-19 autumn booster – what we know so far

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) has now published its final recommendations for this autumn’s vaccination programme and the NHS is preparing to start its roll out.

The programme is expected to start in early September and run through to December. Residents are advised that boosters will only be available via a booked appointment and those eligible should wait to be contacted and invited by the NHS.

Each of the following cohorts will be eligible for an autumn booster (no less than 3 months after their previous dose):

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

Residents should not attend any of the vaccination clinics for an autumn booster until invited to do so as they will not be able to get a vaccination.

Further information will be available in due course.

Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Health, said: “With life being back to normal and media coverage reduced, it is easy to think that COVID-19 has gone away. However, that is not the case.

“Ahead of the colder months, it is very important that those in high-risk groups and carers boost their protection against virus. Vaccination remains the best way for us to protect ourselves and those around us.”