A leading immunisation advisor has welcomed plans to focus the COVID-19 autumn booster programme on those at greatest risk.
Dr Janet Walker, medical director, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and primary care advisor to the North East and North Cumbria COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, has backed the decision by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to offer Covid-19 boosters to all over-65s this winter.
As well as over-65s, younger people in a clinical risk group including those with respiratory disease, diabetes or learning difficulties, pregnant women, NHS staff, social care workers and residents in care homes for older adults will be offered a vaccination.
Those aged 12 to 64 who live with someone who is immunocompromised, such as cancer and transplant patients, will also be eligible.
Healthy adults aged 50-64 will no longer be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, meaning 244,542 fewer people across the North East and North Cumbria will receive the free booster this year.
"With this year's autumn booster programme, we are focusing on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill and people who will benefit the most from having the COVID-19 vaccine," said Dr Walker.
"Being able to scale back on vaccinating all healthy 50 -64-year-olds demonstrates the real success of the COVID-19 programme so far and shows just how well the vaccine rollouts have worked to protect many people against infection, hospitalisation and death."
Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed that more than 10,000 deaths were attributed to COVID-19, in England, from September to March 22/23.
UKHSA also reported that people who had a COVID-19 vaccination were around 53 per cent less likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus in the two to four weeks after getting vaccinated.
During the region's 2023 spring booster campaign, 2,165 patients were admitted to hospital trusts across the North East and North Cumbria with COVID-19 - of those admitted to hospital 74 per cent of patients had not had a vaccination in the last 12 months.
The following groups will be eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine this autumn:
- residents in a care home for older adults
- all adults aged 65 years and over
- persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group,
- frontline health and social care workers
- persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults
In addition, the same eligibility groups will be offered a free flu vaccine this autumn along with children aged two or three, primary and secondary school pupils up to year 11.
"We need to remind people that Covid-19 and flu haven't gone away, and we expect to see them circulating more widely over the coming months," added Dr Walker.
"It is vital that everyone who is eligible, and needs that extra protection, takes up the offer of their vaccinations as soon as they are offered them – helping to prevent serious illness arising from the viruses this winter."
NHS England will confirm details on how and when eligible people can access their vaccinations. Those eligible will be contacted by the NHS and invited to book when it is their turn.
Both COVID-19 and flu vaccinations will be available at many local GP hubs, GP surgeries and community pharmacies and will be available to book online on the NHS national booking system or by calling 119.