The next phase of the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme is now underway, with local care home residents and staff first in line to receive an autumn booster.
Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the offer will then be opened up to the remaining eligible groups from Monday (12 September, 2022).
These include older adult care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers, people aged 50 and over, unpaid carers aged 16 to 49, people aged 5 to 49 in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women, and household contacts of people with weakened immune systems aged 5 to 49.
Once invited, eligible people will be able to book an appointment online via the National Booking System at Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination or by calling 119, as long as it has been 3 months since their last dose.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “The NHS has now set out plans for the next phase of the Covid-19 vaccination programme – the largest and fastest vaccine drive in health service history.
“Everyone eligible for a booster dose will be contacted by the NHS when it is their turn, and I would urge anyone who is invited to book their appointment as soon as they can.”
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Even though things are generally getting back to normal, it's important to remember that Covid-19 hasn't gone away and that the virus still has the potential to cause serious illness or even death.
"It’s great news that autumn boosters are being made available to the most vulnerable people in our communities which will help increase their immunity as we approach winter, and I would encourage anyone who receives an invite for a booster to get booked in as soon as possible.”
Councillor Linda Leach, Cabinet Member for Adults, added: "Some of our most vulnerable residents are those in care homes and those receiving care in their home.
“Therefore these people will be first to get the booster with GP led vaccination teams going into care homes across the city to offer the vaccine to both residents and staff.
“With 95% of local care home residents already receiving the full course of the Covid vaccination, the highest in the Black Country and West Birmingham, this booster will help care home residents and other eligible residents prepare for the winter months where they will unfortunately be at increased risk”.
The autumn booster programme will run alongside the annual flu programme, and where possible those eligible will be offered the booster and flu vaccine together.
Meanwhile, anyone who is yet to have a first, second or first booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccination is reminded they can get it at clinics operating throughout Wolverhampton over the coming weeks. They include the pop up clinic which is at Phoenix Park, Blakenhall, until Friday (9 September) and again on Sunday 11 September, from 10am to 4pm each day, at Bantock Park on Saturday 10 September from 10am to 4pm, and at Whitmore Reans Library, Avion Centre, from Monday 12 September to Sunday 18 September from 10am to 4pm each day.
The pop up clinic is open to anyone aged 18 and over, and no appointment is necessary. It is operating alongside regular walk in Covid-19 vaccination clinics, including those offering vaccinations for people aged 5 and over. For details of these clinics, please visit Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site. Appointments can be booked at Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination or by calling 119.
