In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those eligible for a COVID-19 spring vaccine this year include:

People aged 75 and over - this includes those who turn 75 years old by 30 June 2024. These people will be eligible for a vaccination at any point in the campaign. People who are admitted to an older adult care home or become immunosuppressed by 30 June are also eligible. All residents in CQC registered Older Adult Care Homes and all residents in CQC registered homes that have a Dual registration which includes the Older Adult status. People aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed* (IS) (defined in the Green Book, chapter 14a; tables 3 and 4)*

Immunosuppressed eligibility age 16 and over*

Immunosuppressed eligibility aged under 16*

• Patients undergoing chemotherapy leading to immunosuppression. • Patients undergoing radical radiotherapy. • Solid organ transplant recipients. • Bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients. • HIV infection at all stages, multiple myeloma or genetic disorders affecting the immune system (e.g. IRAK-4, NEMO, complement disorder, SCID). • Individuals who are receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy including, but not limited to, anti-TNF, alemtuzumab, ofatumumab, rituximab, • Patients receiving protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors, and individuals treated with steroid sparing agents such as cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil. • Individuals treated with or likely to be treated with systemic steroids for more than a month at a dose equivalent to prednisolone at 20mg or more per day for adults. • Anyone with a history of haematological malignancy, including leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. • Those who require long term immunosuppressive treatment for conditions including, but not limited to, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, scleroderma and psoriasis.

• Those undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. • Solid organ transplant recipients. • Bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients. • Genetic disorders affecting the immune system (e.g. deficiencies of IRAK-4 or NEMO, complement disorder, SCID). • Those with haematological malignancy, including leukaemia and lymphoma. • Those receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy. • Those treated with or likely to be treated with high or moderate dose corticosteroids. • Those receiving any dose of non-biological oral immune modulating drugs e.g. methotrexate, azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine or mycophenolate. • Those with auto-immune diseases who may require long term immunosuppressive treatments. • Children who are about to receive planned immunosuppressive therapy should be considered for vaccination prior to commencing therapy.

 

• COVID-19 is still with us and is still making people very ill.
• Over the course of the 2023 spring booster campaign 2,165 patients were admitted to hospitals across the |North East and North Cumbria with COVID-19. 
• Highest case rate management was in Northumbria Trust at 483 patients and lowest in North Tees at 169 patients. Of those admitted to hospital 28% were unvaccinated, 1% had a 1^st does only, 5% two doses, 13% three doses, 14% four doses and 10% five doses. Of those admitted to hospital 74% of patients had not had a vaccination in the last 12 months. 
• Those most vulnerable and at increased risk from COVID-19 are eligible for a free seasonal vaccine for extra protection.
• This includes anyone over 75 and people aged over 6 months who are immunosuppressed.
• If you’re not sure if you are eligible you can find out more at COVID-19 spring vaccination eligibility (and for a full list of conditions and criteria, please see the immunosuppressed sections of Tables 3 and 4 of the UK Health Security Agency’s Green Book).
• If you are eligible, it is important to top up your protection even if you have had earlier vaccinations or have had the virus, as your immunity fades over time.
• It can take 14 days for the vaccination to take full effect, so everyone due a further dose is encouraged to get it as early as possible for maximum protection.
• You can have your COVID-19 spring booster vaccine if it's been at least three months since you had your previous dose.

If you haven’t already booked an appointment:

• Choose ‘Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination’ via the homepage of the NHS App
• Search ‘NHS COVID-19 vaccine’ for more details on how to book
• Call 119

Most people who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination can book using any of the options available at www.nhs.uk/get-covid-vaccine. Some people may need additional support.

Home visits

If you usually get your care at home and you need a home visit, please contact your GP surgery in the first instance. If they are not currently providing COVID-19 vaccination services, they should be able to arrange a home visit for you with another local NHS service. ​

Stem cell transplant or CAR-T therapy

If you have had a stem cell transplant or CAR-T therapy, your specialist or GP may advise you that you need to be referred for re-vaccination against COVID-19. They must provide a completed patient specific direction form to advise on the best timing for your vaccination around planned treatment.

Contacting NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board

For patients who are housebound, or newly severely immunosuppressed, the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) can help you to arrange a vaccination appointment in your area if you cannot book in the usual way. If your specialist or GP practice has been unable to organise your vaccination for you, please contact your local NHS service using the contact details below.

Email: necsu.immunosuppressedney@nhs.net

Tel: (0191) 486 2001- Monday to Friday 9am till 4pm.

All clinics are walk in for those who:

• are 75 years or over (you need to be 75 years old by 30 June 2024)
• are 6 months to 74 years old and have a weakened immune system

Alnwick

Belford

Morpeth

Seahouses

Wooler

All clinics are walk in for those who:

• are 75 years or over (you need to be 75 years old by 30 June 2024)
• are 6 months to 74 years old and have a weakened immune system

Billingham

Darlington

Hartlepool

Middlesbrough

Redcar and East Cleveland

Stockton-on-Tees

Skelton

Thornaby