The NHS in Gloucestershire is reassuring everyone who is eligible for a COVID booster or flu vaccination this autumn/winter that they will receive an invitation from local NHS services to book a slot soon. Please DO NOT contact GP surgeries at this time.

This comes as the NHS has been asked to bring the programme forward due to the increased risks posed by the new COVID variant.

Residents in care homes and those who are housebound will be prioritised for vaccination from this week (week commencing 11 September), followed by those most at risk, including those who are immunosuppressed (e.g. 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).

Carers, pregnant women, people with certain health conditions* and health and social care staff will all be among the groups to be offered a COVID and flu jabs this winter, as well as adults aged 65 and over.

Where possible, COVID and flu vaccinations will be offered at the same time, subject to supplies.

In parallel, flu vaccines are being given to children aged two and three, and children of primary school age, with secondary school pupils up to year 11 to follow later in the autumn/winter.

Parents of children in reception and years 1 to 6 will be invited to give consent for their children to have a nasal spray via the school vaccination programme. Parents of children aged two or three should receive an invite via their GP practice.

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

“Gloucestershire has a strong track record for delivering vaccinations and is well placed to bring the delivery of the autumn/winter programme forward in order to protect vulnerable people from the new COVID variant.

Our incredible vaccination teams are well practiced at rolling out the delivery of vaccines quickly, and we’re confident that they will once again rise to the challenge to ensure everyone who is eligible can access a COVID booster or flu jab this autumn.

If you’re eligible for one or both of these vaccines, it’s really important to take up the offer as soon as you’re invited to reduce your risk of becoming seriously unwell.

We would ask that you do not make contact with your GP surgery at the moment, if you’re eligible for vaccinations you will receive an invite in the coming weeks.

If you already have an appointment scheduled, you don’t need to do anything, you may hear from your practice to bring this forward if possible”

How to access a vaccination in Gloucestershire

  • Via appointment at a GP-led primary care network vaccination centre – 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 when it’s their turn. People may be offered their COVID booster and flu jab at the same appointment subject to supplies.
  • Via the national booking system (COVID booster only) – open from 18 September, some people may choose to book an appointment at a number of community pharmacies across the county using the NBS telephone number and website (nhs.uk/covidvaccination or call 119).

Who is eligible?

  • residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults (COVID booster and flu jab)
  • frontline health and social care workers (COVID booster and flu jab)
  • all adults aged 65 years and over (COVID booster and flu jab)
  • people aged 5 to 64 years with certain health conditions (COVID booster and flu jab)
  • persons aged 5 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with a severely weakened immune system (COVID booster and flu jab)
  • people who receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick (COVID booster and flu jab)
  • pregnant women (COVID booster and flu jab)
  • two and three-year olds (flu nasal spray)
  • primary school and secondary school pupils up to year 11 (flu nasal spray, delivered via the school vaccination programme).

*Health conditions which mean people should get vaccinated

Health conditions which mean people may be at a higher risk from severe illness and should therefore get vaccinated include chronic respiratory, heart, kidney or liver disease, neurological conditions, diabetes, problems with the spleen, those with a learning disability, severe mental illness, or being overweight, with a BMI of 40 or above.