COVID-19 spring booster now available in Kirklees
The NHS is now offering the spring COVID-19 vaccine to eligible groups from Monday 22 April.
The spring vaccine started rolling out in care homes for older adults from Monday 15 April and is now available for the following eligible cohorts, following Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice:
- Residents in care homes for older adults
- Adults aged 75 years and over
- Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed.
The spring booster is currently available in Huddersfield Kingsgate Shopping Centre, Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10.30am-4pm.
The main change to eligibility from previous COVID-19 programmes is that those with a weakened immune system are now eligible from 6 months old instead of 5 years old.
People are encouraged to book a vaccination appointment through the NHS National Booking System.
Vaccination appointments can be made via the NHS website or by calling 119.
Parents or carers can book a Covid-19 vaccination for children under 16 on their behalf. Eligible people aged 16 and over can also use the NHS App to book an appointment.
NHS England is sending reminder texts, emails, NHS App messages or letters to eligible people, but you can also book an appointment at any time.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) surveillance data on the 2023 spring Covid-19 vaccination programme shows that those who received a vaccine were around 50% less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 for three to four months after vaccination, compared to those who did not receive one.
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Kirklees Council’s Director of Public Health, said:
“The NHS has now opened up the COVID-19 spring booster to the wider cohort. This means that the booster is now available to people in care homes for older adults, those people who are aged 75 and over, and people with certain health conditions. The great news is that you don’t need to wait to be invited, you can book your appointment as soon as you prefer at a time which works for you. The spring booster will be available in Kirklees to the wider cohort from Monday 22 April until 30 June 2024. To protect yourselves and your loved ones from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, I would encourage all those eligible to book an appointment as soon as possible.”
Dr James Thomas, GP and Medical Director at West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, said:
“Covid-19 is still very dangerous and even life-threatening, especially for older people and those with a weakened immune system.
People at increased risk from severe illness can get the vaccine, including those aged 75 or over (on 30 June 2024), people with a weakened immune system or who live in an older adult care home.
The COVID-19 vaccine offers good protection and helps reduce the risk of serious illness or death, needing to go to hospital, catching and spreading the virus, and protects against different variants. Anyone eligible who has not received a previous dose – or has not for a while – should get vaccinated during this spring offer, to help protect against serious illness. It is vital that those who are at higher risk top up their protection.”
For more information visit: www.kirklees.gov.uk/covid19vaccinations