Book your booster!- more appointments now available for spring COVID-19 vaccinations
A leading respiratory consultant is urging people at risk not to delay in booking their spring Covid-19 booster.
More appointments have now been made available across the North East and North Cumbria - with the majority available to book at community pharmacies and GP practices.
Anyone at increased risk of serious illness from the virus is being offered the free vaccine - including those aged 75 and over (by June 30, 2024), residents of care homes for older adults, and those with a weakened immune system aged six months or above.
Dr Catherine Monaghan, respiratory consultant and medical director, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: "We have seen a great start to our spring vaccination campaign with over 130,000 eligible people across the region already having their booster.
"COVID-19 is still very dangerous and even life-threatening, particularly for older people and those with a weakened immune system, - even if you've had previous vaccinations, protection against COVID-19 can fade over time and the virus can also change to a new variant - so if you are in one of these high-risk groups it's really important that you top up your protection."
Over 412,000 people across the North East and North Cumbria are eligible for the Moderna COVID-19 spring vaccination, which will be available until the end of June.
"The NHS will be inviting those who are at highest risk," added Dr Monaghan. "But you don't need to wait for an invitation to book your vaccine - booking is simple and easy:
- Download the NHS App and make an appointment
- Visit www.nhs.uk/get-vaccine
- Call 119 for free if you can’t get online (translators are available)
"We've now got more appointments available for anyone who's eligible, so please make sure you get yours before the end of June to keep you healthy throughout the summer months.
"Some clinics tend to fill up quickly at first, so don’t be disheartened if you can’t get a booking straight away – check again later as more appointments will be added each week.”