During World Immunisation Week, the NHS is reminding people eligible for a Spring booster that they can now book an appointment to help protect themselves from severe illness with COVID-19 if rates are high over the summer months.

Those who can get a spring vaccination include people aged 75 and over (by 30 June 2023), people over age 5 with a weakened immune system, and residents of care homes for older adults.

Dr Andy Seymour, Chief Medical Officer, NHS Gloucestershire said:

“The latest phase of the vaccination programme has got off to a great start, with appointment slots filling up at sites across the county. Our teams of staff and volunteers are looking forward to welcoming people again and will be on hand to help and answer any questions.

COVID-19 is still circulating in the community, and we encourage those who are eligible to take up the offer to help protect them over the coming months.

Please be assured that if you’re eligible, you will receive an invitation from local NHS services to book in for your vaccination soon if you haven’t already.

If you have an appointment but can’t make it, or you get a vaccination elsewhere, please do take the time to cancel the booking to give someone else the opportunity to make use of the slot.”

The NHS is also reminding people who still need a first or second dose that they need to act fast to ensure they can access their vaccines before the offer comes to an end on 30 June 2023.

John Trevains, Director of Nursing, Therapies and Quality at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“World Immunisation Week is a good opportunity to talk about the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations. We know there are people in our community who haven’t felt able to accept the offer of a vaccine so far and we’ve been working hard with our partners across the voluntary and community sector to understand people’s hesitancy and do what we can to make it easier for people to come forward for a vaccination.

There is a great team of vaccinators who are out and about in the local community spending time with people to talk through the issues before they make a decision to have their vaccination, whether that’s a first, second or booster dose.

If anyone is feeling unsure about whether to have a jab, I’d urge them to pop along to an outreach clinic to have a chat with the team, they’re really knowledgeable about their work and will always be willing to talk through your concerns and help you come to a decision.”

For a full list of drop-in dates, including community outreach clinics, visit the local NHS COVID-19 information portal.

Additional information

Who can have the spring booster?

The spring booster is available to those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. People aged 75 and older, residents of care homes for older people and people aged 12 and over who have a weakened immune system are all eligible. ‘Weakened immune system’ includes those with underlying health conditions such as chronic leukaemia or lymphoma, and those who have had immunosuppressive treatment following an organ transplant or have had radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

How to have the booster

There are two main ways to access a spring booster:

Via appointment at a community vaccination centre

The bulk of vaccinations continue to be provided by appointment through GP-led community vaccination centres across the county. Please note that these appointments are not available on the national booking system (NBS), people will receive an invite directly from local NHS services to book (often via text if your GP practice has a contact number). At the moment, we are asking people who are eligible for a spring booster not to contact their GP surgery, local NHS services will be in touch soon.

The community-based vaccination outreach team will also be offering drop-in clinics at a number of locations throughout May. Details will be listed on the COVID information portal.

Via the national booking system (NBS)

People may choose to book an appointment at a participating community pharmacy across the county using the NBS telephone number, 119, or via the NBS website.

People who are housebound and managers of care homes for older people will be contacted by an appropriate NHS Team to arrange a visit.