The NHS has started delivering Covid booster jabs to people in eligible groups last week, as the biggest and most successful vaccination programme in health service history moves to the next stage.
We are now inviting eligible people, who had their second Covid jab at least six months ago, for a top up.
Hospital hubs have started vaccinating frontline health and care workers as well as identifying other eligible patients for their booster vaccine immediately, with local vaccination services to follow.
Full vaccination rollout will begin from next week, as more vaccination centres and community pharmacy-led sites come online, giving people further protection from the virus ahead of winter.
People do not need to contact the NHS to arrange their booster vaccine. The NHS (not GP practices) will be in touch when people become eligible for the jab with around 4.5 million people in priority groups becoming eligible for a booster over the coming weeks.
People will be invited by the National Booking Service.
Booster jabs are effective for topping up protection for people who have had both of their jabs from at the very least six months on after their second dose.
Some of those in the original nine priority groups will not be eligible for the top-up until the New Year.
The booster programme will be delivered through existing vaccination sites including pharmacies, hospital hubs and vaccine centres.
Local NHS areas will be prioritising care home residents and staff ensuring they are offered a vaccine by the beginning of November.
Those who are eligible for the Covid booster jabs include:
- those living in residential care homes for older adults
- all adults aged 50 years or over
- frontline health and social care workers
- all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 (as set out in the green book), and adult carers
- adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals
Please do not contact your GP regarding an appointment for the booster vaccine. The NHS will contact people by letter or text, when they become eligible to have the booster vaccine. People can book their appointment through the National Booking Service.
Visit Somerset CCG Covid vaccination programme for more information on the Somerset Covid Vaccination programme.