The NHS in the North West is encouraging those who have not yet come forward and are eligible, to have their COVID-19 autumn booster, before the offer ends on Sunday 12 February.

There are thousands of appointments available at 346 sites across the North West next week, giving everyone the opportunity to book a booster appointment if they have not already.

Following the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), Sunday 12 February will also be the final day that 16 to 49-year-olds who are not considered at risk will be able to get a booster. Any appointments for boosters booked after that date will still be honoured, but no new appointments will be made for after 12 February.

Although the JCVI has advised that there should be another autumn vaccination campaign, as well as a potential spring campaign, it is recommending moving to a more targeted offer to those considered to be at risk of serious illness.

More than 17 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including more than two million autumn boosters have been delivered in the North West, as part of the biggest vaccination drive in NHS history.

Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning and Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 Vaccination programme in the North West said: “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of NHS staff and partners, more than two million people have received their autumn booster in the North West, giving widespread protection from COVID-19 to our communities.

 

“However, there are still people eligible for the autumn booster who have yet to get their vaccination, and now is the time to take up the offer before it ends on Sunday 12 February. We have lots of appointments available in the region, as well as walk-in clinics offering COVID-19 jabs in convenient locations.

 

“Vaccination remains our best protection against severe infections and hospitalisation, and so I would urge anyone who is yet to have their seasonal covid vaccination top-up to get boosted before the offer ends.”

The NHS covid vaccination programme will continue to run a smaller operation after 12 February, allowing those yet to come forward for first, second or third doses if severely immunosuppressed, to book appointments.

The JCVI will set out further guidance on who will be eligible for covid vaccines in future phases of the programme, such as any spring campaign as well as next autumn’s, in due course.

If you’re aged 16 – 49 and have yet to get the primary booster, or you’re eligible for an autumn booster, including those aged 50 years or over, those at high risk from COVID-19 or are pregnant, and frontline health and social care worker, book today before time runs out. How to get a booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)