People at increased risk from severe illness can get the booster, including those aged 75 or over (on 30 June 2024), people with a weakened immune system, or who live in an older adult care home.

Monday 15 April will also see the start of visits to older adult care homes and eligible housebound patients. For some people who get their care at home, a home visit should be arranged via their GP.

Spring vaccinations will be available until 30 June 2024 and this year appointments will be available at pharmacies and GP practices.

In our health area of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West (BOB), eligible people can also find information and advice, including dates of any walk-in clinics here: bit.ly/springbooster24.

Anyone eligible can also book a vaccine appointment via the NHS.UK website or by calling 119 for free, with parents or carers able to book a Covid-19 vaccination for children under 16 on their behalf. Eligible people aged 16 and over can also use the NHS App to book an appointment.

The NHS is sending texts, emails, NHS App messages or letters to those who are eligible, but they do not have to wait for the invite to book.

Eligibility for a spring vaccination is similar to previous years but those with a weakened immune system are now eligible from 6 months instead of 5 years.

Following JCVI advice, this spring’s eligible cohorts include:

  • Adults aged 75 years and over by 30 June 2024
  • Residents in care homes for older adults
  • Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.

 Covid-19 can still be very dangerous and even life-threatening, particularly for older people and those with a weakened immune system. The vaccine gives good protection and helps reduce the risk of serious illness or death, needing to go to hospital, catching and spreading the virus, and protects against different variants.

Data on last year’s spring Covid-19 vaccination programme showed that those who received a vaccine were around 50% less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 for three to four months after vaccination, compared with those who did not receive one.

Anyone eligible who has not received any previous doses should get vaccinated during this year’s spring offer, to help protect against serious illness.

The NHS is also encouraging those eligible to get the shingles vaccine, which is recommended for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79, and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system. Anyone eligible should be contacted by their GP surgery to book an appointment.

Rachael Corser, Chief Nursing Officer for Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board who manage health and care services in our health region said:  “This spring, the NHS is offering the Covid-19 vaccine to those that are at highest risk of getting seriously unwell if they catch the virus.

“With COVID-19 still circulating, it’s important those at highest risk who are eligible for the spring vaccine get their jab to help top up their immunity.

“We are still seeing COVID-19 causing hospitalisations and severe illness particularly among older people and those with weakened immune systems and the vaccine provides the best protection – so don’t put it off, if you’re eligible book your appointment as soon as you’re invited by the NHS.”

A summary of the health conditions, treatments and medications that can cause a weakened immune system is available on the NHS.UK website, and a full definition of immunosuppression can be found in Chapter 14a (table 3) of the Green Book.