Autumn booster campaign will build on success of COVID-19 vaccination programme, but delivery model is not sustainable, says NHS Providers

Responding to the announcement of 60 million extra doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine secured to support an autumn booster programme, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said:

“It is good to see preparations for an autumn booster campaign taking shape.

“This will build on the extraordinary success of the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination programme.

“Trusts have been at the forefront of this huge effort, and while we welcome additional steps to protect the most vulnerable people, it is important to remember the hard work and expertise of all those involved in planning and delivering these vaccines.

“This has been and will remain a major commitment for the NHS alongside the many other challenges it now faces in dealing with the long term impact of COVID-19.

“It does reinforce, though, the need for the NHS to create the right workforce model to deliver COVID-19 vaccines long term. What’s been achieved so far has depended on diverting large numbers of NHS staff from their day jobs, which is not sustainable”.