The NHS has set out plans for the next phase of 'variant-busting' booster vaccines for Covid-19, with the new roll-out set to start next month.
The NHS will be the first healthcare system in the world to use the new bivalent Covid vaccine this autumn, following advice from the Government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Vaccinations will begin during the week of September 5 , with care home residents and people who are housebound set to be the first to receive their booster.
During the first week bookings will also open for people aged 75 and over and those who are more likely to get seriously ill from Covid to book their jab, with the wider rollout due to begin on September 12 . Eligible patients will be able to book their vaccine online or by calling 119 as long as it has been at least three months since their last dose.
Although unlike previous doses not everyone will be called forward to receive the autumn booster, it’s thought that around 26 million people in England will be eligible for the latest vaccine. The rollout forms part of the plans put in place by the NHS to prepare for the coming winter, after seeing Covid cases surge during the colder months in previous years.
The NHS will also offer eligible patients the flu jab alongside the Covid booster to offer protection to the most vulnerable, and is ramping up bed capacity as well as increasing the number of 999 and 111 staff to help ease the extra pressure on the heath system this winter. More than 126 million Covid vaccines have been administered by NHS staff and volunteers since the start of the pandemic.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “When the time comes, I would strongly encourage anyone who is invited to take up both an autumn booster and flu jab, to do so as quickly as possible – it will give you maximum protection this winter”. If you are eligible for the autumn vaccine, you do not need to contact the NHS - you will be contacted when it’s your turn to book in for your jab.
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