News from our partners: Last chance to get COVID-19 booster vaccinations
News from our partners NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin / Integrated Care System
Eligible Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin residents yet to receive their COVID-19 booster vaccinations have less than two weeks left to get their jab, with boosters only being available until Sunday 12 February 2023.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has now advised that, thanks to the success of the programme, the offer of a seasonal booster dose should end when the current autumn 2022 campaign ends, which will be on Sunday 12 February 2023.
Anyone yet to come forward for their COVID-19 booster is being urged to get the jab before the end of the campaign.
COVID-19 booster vaccinations only available until 12 February 2023
The Government has accepted the JCVI advice, which also recommends that the booster offer for all 16- to 49-year-olds who are not considered at risk should end at the same time as this autumn’s campaign.
This means that Sunday 12 February 2023 will be the last chance for anyone who has been invited for a COVID-19 booster to take up their offer, until future campaigns are agreed by the JCVI and the Government.
It comes as the JCVI is recommending moving to a more targeted offer to those considered to be at risk of serious illness.
There are currently 1,193 patients across the West Midlands and East Midlands in hospital with COVID-19, and 1,650 cases were recorded in the West Midlands over the last seven-day reporting period.
While more than 3.3 million people have had their COVID-19 seasonal booster, there are still a number of eligible people who are yet to take up their winter vaccinations and are therefore at increased risk of serious illness.
NHS England director, Roz Lindridge, who is responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said:-
“I would urge everyone who is eligible and has not yet benefited from the seasonal COVID-19 booster, or 2021’s booster, to come forward and get protected ahead of the 12 February 2023 deadline.
“We have plenty of bookable appointments, as well as walk-in clinics offering COVID-19 jabs in convenient community locations. COVID-19 remains very dangerous and even life-threatening for some – especially older people, and younger people with long term health conditions.
“The good news is that the vaccination reduces the chance of people suffering from the serious effects from COVID-19. The seasonal booster protects against Omicron variants as well as the earlier COVID-19 variants. So, by getting boosted, people can recharge the protection offered by earlier COVID-19 vaccinations. The vaccine is still the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
The vaccine has been rigorously tested to the highest safety standards and is continuously monitored for safety. It has been tested on tens of thousands of people across the world – women, men, people of different ethnicities and ages – as well as given to millions more.
People can book their latest COVID-19 dose through the national booking system or by calling 119. You can also get a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from a walk-in site without an appointment. People can find their nearest walk-in sites on the NHS website.
Further information
JCVI on 27 January 2023 updated interim advice for planning purposes for 2023:-
- In autumn 2023, persons at higher risk of severe COVID-19 could be offered a booster vaccine dose in preparation for winter 2023 to 2024
- In addition, for a smaller group of persons (such as persons of older age and those who are immunosuppressed) an extra booster vaccine dose may be offered in spring 2023
- Emergency surge vaccine responses may be required should a novel variant of concern emerge with clinically significant biological differences compared to the Omicron variant.
