People at greatest risk of serious illness from Covid, including care home residents, over 65s and frontline health and social care workers, are eligible for an autumn vaccine booster.
Am I eligible for an autumn Covid booster?
The following people are eligible for an autumn Covid booster:
- Residents in care homes for older adults
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- People aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the Covid-19 chapter of the UKHSA Green Book on Immunisation
- frontline health and social care workers.
- People aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression, as defined in the UKHSA Green Book
- People aged 16 to 64 years who are carers, as defined in the UKHSA Green Book, and staff working in care homes for older adults
This is because the risk of severe Covid continues to be strongly associated with increasing age and underlying health conditions.
When is the booster available and how do I book an appointment?
NHS England will confirm details on how and when eligible people can access the autumn booster vaccine soon.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised the autumn programme should aim to complete vaccinations by early December 2023.
Why should I get an autumn booster?
Vaccines help to protect against severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from Covid.
People who received an autumn booster vaccine last year were around 53% less likely to go to the hospital with Covid in the two to four weeks after getting vaccinated, compared to those who didn’t get a booster.
Last year’s autumn booster programme saw almost 84% of over-80s vaccinated and more than 73% of 65-70-year-olds, protecting the most vulnerable and helping us to live with Covid.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-advises-on-eligible-groups-for-2023-autumn-booster
Correct at publish date 23.8.23
