Hundreds of thousands of people will be invited to book a Spring
Covid booster this week as the NHS vaccination programme, the
biggest and fastest in health service history, enters a new
phase.
Eligible groups for Spring boosters include care home residents,
people who are 75 and over and those who are immunosuppressed
aged 12 and over.
In line with new advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination
and Immunisation, the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme will
contact people when it is their turn to be vaccinated.
Once invited by the NHS, people will be able to book their
appointment through the National Booking System either online or
by calling NHS 119.
Around 600,000 people will be invited to book this week. In
addition, local NHS teams will also offer
vaccinations in care homes with hundreds more visits
planned in the coming weeks.
In all, around five million people will be able to
get a Spring booster dose.
Announcing the spring rollout, NHS chief executive Amanda
Pritchard said: “The NHS Covid-19 vaccination
programme has not stopped in its efforts to protect people from
coronavirus – around five million of the most vulnerable
people will be eligible for a Spring dose and from tomorrow, we
will start giving eligible groups their additional top up in
protection.
“We have protected millions of people at speed thanks to the
efforts of our staff, aided by volunteers. They will once again
rise to the next challenge.
“There is no need to contact the NHS – when you are eligible for
your ‘spring boost’ of protection, we will be in touch so you can
book your appointment at one of hundreds of vaccination sites
across the country.”
Health and Social Care Secretary said: “Our
phenomenal vaccination programme has saved countless lives and
built a wall of defence which has allowed us to learn to live
with Covid.
“Following the massive success of the rollout so far, we are now
offering over-75s and the most vulnerable a spring booster dose
to top up their protection against this virus.
“Please come forward as soon as you are contacted by the NHS.”
Vaccines Minister said: “The British
public has responded incredibly during the pandemic, with tens of
millions of people rolling up their sleeves to do their part by
getting vaccinated.
“We must ensure those at greatest risk of serious illness from
Covid are protected and spring boosters will top up people’s
immunity.
“The NHS will contact you when it’s your turn – please take up
the offer as soon as you can.”
Research by UKHSA estimates since mid-December some 157,000
hospitalisations have been prevented by booster doses.
A report last month from
the National Audit Office (NAO) found the NHS coronavirus
vaccination programme met “stretching and unprecedented targets”
as it helped save lives and reduce hospital admissions - all
while making effective use of public money.
The NHS made history when Maggie Keenan received the first
Covid-19 jab outside of a clinical trial in December 2020.
Since then, NHS staff and volunteers have delivered over 118
million vaccinations in total, including 32 million top-up jabs
since the booster rollout began in September.
Eligible adults will be offered either the Pfizer or Moderna
vaccine, with any eligible people aged between 12 and 18 getting
offered the Pfizer vaccine.
The NHS also continues to offer first, second, and third doses
for those who are yet to come forward for one.
