Coronavirus: Spring COVID-19 booster available for extremely high-risk groups
A spring (or 2nd) booster jab will be available to those at extremely high risk from COVID-19.
The NHS will contact those who are eligible to make a spring booster appointment, so people should wait until they hear from the NHS – this will be by letter or text: please do not contact your GP practice about your spring booster.
Those eligible for the spring booster are:
- adults aged 75 years and over
- residents in care homes for older adults
- individuals aged 12 years and over who have a weakened immune system.
These groups of people are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. Protection from the vaccine may be lower and may decline more quickly in these people. If the number of infections increases over the summer, this booster should help to reduce their risk of developing serious illness and being admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
The NHS will prioritise those whose clinical need is greatest, as it has throughout, starting with those who have had a bigger gap since their last dose, then working through the cohort to invite others who have waited less time.
Spring booster appointments will be available to book on the National Booking Service, or by calling 119, from today (Monday 21 March 2022), in vaccination centres across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. However, it’s important to note that anyone in these groups will only be able to book an appointment for six months from the date of their last vaccination.
Dr John Pepper, chair of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“With restrictions being lifted and COVID-19 cases on the increase, it is important that people continue to get vaccinated and protected from coronavirus. The COVID-19 vaccine is making a big difference to help protect us all.
“The Spring booster for those who are most vulnerable – those aged 75 and over, in care homes and those who are immunosuppressed, will help maintain high levels of protection against severe COVID-19.
“If you are in this group of people, please wait to be contacted by the NHS, either by letter, text message, or direct by your GP practice, before booking an appointment or attending any vaccination centre. Many thanks for your patience.”
Local Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and GP practices in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have already begun contacting local care homes to arrange appointments to provide the lifesaving vaccine to older and vulnerable residents.
Find out more about the spring booster and why it’s important for eligible groups to have by downloading this leaflet: COVID-19: A guide to the spring booster for 75 years and older (publishing.service.gov.uk).
At the same time, the NHS continues to encourage those who have yet to come forward for their first, second or booster dose, to do so at a time and place that is convenient for them. Coronavirus is still active, and the vaccine offers the best protection against becoming seriously unwell with COVID-19, staying out of hospital and passing the virus on to others.
You can also find out more about COVID-19 vaccination on the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICS website. You can find your nearest walk-in centre here or book an appointment online at www.nhs.uk/covid-booster or by calling 119 free of charge (translators are available on request) and more information can be found at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine.
Those who have recently recovered from COVID-19 should still come forward for their vaccination, as having had the virus does not give the same levels of protection. Anyone over 18 who has had COVID-19 will need to wait four weeks before having any dose of the vaccine, or 12 weeks for those aged 12 to 17.
