NHS starts Covid autumn booster roll out

Covid boosters are being rolled out from today (Monday).

The NHS across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) is set for the next phase of the vaccination programme, with staff beginning to vaccinate care home residents, care home staff and people who are housebound this week.

The National Booking Service will also open next week ahead of the wider rollout, due to start on September 12, with the NHS encouraging vulnerable people and those aged 75 and over to book an appointment from then.

Debbie Simmons, BOB Integrated Care Board interim chief nursing officer, said: "The NHS will contact you when it is your turn to get an autumn booster.

“We would strongly encourage anyone who is invited and eligible for the jab to get one as quickly as possible - it will give you the best protection against Covid this winter.

“We know our GPs and community pharmacies have been integral to the success of the NHS vaccination programme due to their locations and relationships with local communities, and so it is fantastic that so many have opted to be part of the latest phase of the campaign.”

More than four million jabs have already been given in the BOB area since the start of the vaccination programme in December 2020, making it one of the highest performers across England in terms of vaccine uptake and outreach.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has issued guidance on the groups of people who should be offered the autumn booster jab and details can be found on the Government website.

People can book an appointment online or by calling 119 – as long as it has been three months since their last jab.

Some GP practices will also contact their registered patients directly to invite them to a local vaccination site.