Millions of eligible people in England will be offered a coronavirus booster vaccine from this week – but unlike previous top-ups, this new jab specifically targets strains like Delta and Omicron.
Eligible groups will become the first in the world to trial the variant-busting vaccine, with plans for over 75s, care home residents, the immunocompromised and those who are housebound to all be offered a dose in coming weeks.
Care home residents and staff will be inoculated on-site, while those with poor mobility or chronic health conditions will be able to have their vaccinations at home from this week onwards. Among the 3,100 venues hosting the vaccine drives in England will be GP practices, pharmacies, and community centres.
Experts are hoping the autumn booster will curb the surge in infections that occur in winter months. NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: ‘The precision and speed of the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme allowed us to get back to a pre-pandemic way of life and doing the things that we love.
‘While we know that this winter will be challenging with a likely resurgence in both Covid and flu for the first time since before the pandemic, the best way to protect yourselves and your loved ones from serious illness is to get the newly approved, next generation Covid vaccine when invited to do so, as well as your annual flu jab, to ensure you have maximum protection.’
The NHS will contact people when it is their turn to book in for the vaccine. Find out more on the NHS England website.
ICYMI: This new app can identify Covid using your voice – and works ‘better than lateral flow tests’.
PLUS: ‘Cyclone September’ is here, and that means a shitload of storms are on the way.