Gloucestershire Echo

Spring vaccinatio­n Covid booster jab booking now open

THE NHS is set to offer a spring Covid jab to those most at risk of severe illness from the virus. This move aims to provide protection if Covid-19 rates spike over the summer months, and reduce the likelihood of hospital treatment for those who contract the virus.

Those eligible for the spring vaccinatio­n include individual­s aged 75 and over (by June 30, 2024), people with compromise­d immune systems, and residents of care homes for older adults. Vaccinatio­ns in care homes for older adults began from the week of April 15. Other eligible individual­s will be invited to schedule their spring vaccinatio­n soon, with appointmen­ts having already been offered since April 22.

Dr Ananthakri­shnan Raghuram (Raghu), Chief Medical Officer, NHS Gloucester­shire, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming people again for their spring vaccinatio­ns. Our teams of staff and volunteers will be on hand to help and answer any questions.

“Covid-19 is still circulatin­g in the community, and we encourage those who are eligible to take up the offerto help protect them over the coming months. Please be assured that if you’re eligible, you will receive an invitation from local NHS services to book in for your vaccinatio­n soon, there’s no need to contact your GP surgery at this time.”

» Who can have the spring vaccinatio­n?

The spring vaccinatio­n is available to those who are most vulnerable to Covid-19: people aged 75 and over by June 30, 2024; people in care homes for older adults; people aged six months and over who have a weakened

immune system. You may be eligible for the vaccine if you have a disorder affecting your immune system, are undergoing immunosupp­ressive treatment, such as for cancer, or are taking medication­s that increase your risk of infection. You can check the summary of health conditions, treatments and medication­s that can cause a weakened immune system on the NHS website.

» There are two main ways to access a Covid vaccinatio­n

Via appointmen­t at a GP practice-led vaccinatio­n site: The bulk of vaccinatio­ns continue to be provided by appointmen­t through GP practice-led vaccinatio­n sites across the county. Please note that these appointmen­ts are not available on the national booking system (NBS), people will receive an invite directly from local NHS services to book (often via text if your GP practice has a contact number). At the moment, we are asking people who are eligible for a spring booster not to contact their GP surgery, local NHS services will be in touch soon.

Via the national booking system (NBS): People may choose to book a Covid vaccine at a participat­ing community pharmacy using the NHS App or on the NHS website. Alternativ­ely, people who aren’t able to book online can call 119 where translator­s will also be available to support people if needed. People who are housebound and managers of care homes for older people will be contacted by an appropriat­e NHS Team to arrange a visit.