Today our autumn booster programme kicks off, with care home residents, staff and the housebound to first receive their jabs – keeping the most vulnerable in our society safe and strengthening our defences against the virus.
The Government knows in order to retain our freedoms and live with COVID we must keep the most vulnerable in our society protected from the virus. That is why, the autumn booster rollout begins today with care home residents and staff amongst the first in the world to receive the new, variant-tackling jabs. Around seven million people who are at highest risk, including the over 75s and those with weakened immune systems, will be able to book a vaccine through the National Booking Service, with the first appointments available from the following week and invitations landing on doormats from 7 September.
With a record 3,100 sites forming part of the rollout, the autumn booster rollout will top up the immunity of the most vulnerable and help us to live with the virus without restrictions. The NHS will contact people when it is their turn to book in for the vaccine – you do not need to contact the NHS.
The autumn booster campaign is among a package of NHS measures to prepare for winter as the health service continues to face record demand for its urgent and emergency care services, including by ramping up bed capacity, increasing the number of 999 and NHS 111 staff, and working with colleagues in social care to ensure patients can be discharged in a timely manner.
The NHS will also be rolling out the flu vaccine and encouraging eligible people to take up the offer from the first of the month where possible. Eligible individuals may be offered the flu and COVID jab at the same time subject to supply, with the doses approved to be co-administered. Local systems will roll the flu jab out in a way that works best for them.
For more information about the autumn booster programme, including comments from the NHS Chief Executive and NHS Director of Vaccinations, please visit: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2022/09/nhs-invites-more-than-four-million-people-for-autumn-booster-as-care-homes-set-to-get-first-jabs/?deliveryName=DM12080
