Important information for patients about the Covid-19 booster vaccination programme.

On Monday 29 November, the government announced a major expansion of the Covid-19 booster programme, as part of efforts to help slow the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.

In line with the latest JCVI guidance, the NHS is now working on plans to offer:

• a booster dose to everyone aged 18 years old and over
• a booster dose to people aged 16 years old and over with a severely weakened immune system
• booster doses from 3 months after the previous dose - currently it's from 6 months after the previous dose
• a 2nd dose to all children aged 12 to 15 years old who are not already eligible

This offer is not yet available – but arrangements are being put in place to enable these booster doses to get underway as quickly as possible, and will be opened up by age group to ensure the most vulnerable are vaccinated first.

In the meantime, we would ask patients not to contact their GP surgery (or other parts of the NHS) to ask about boosters. This will help us keep our telephone line and staff free to deal with patients who need urgent help and advice for other health needs.

The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have a booster dose, and how to access it as more information becomes available - either by letter, text or phone call. You don’t need to get in touch before this.

People who are already eligible now should continue to come forward to get their jab via the National Booking System or by calling 119 or visiting a walk-in vaccination clinic.