Is it an emergency?
Posted on
in Ipswich and East Suffolk News, North East Essex News, West Suffolk News
Following the recent national announcement that a spring booster dose of COVID vaccine will be offered to people at highest risk of severe illness, local people are reminded that they need to wait until the vaccination programme is officially launched.
People are urged not to contact their GP practice and to wait for further announcements on when spring boosters will be available across Suffolk and north east Essex.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the government on COVID vaccination, has indicated that spring booster vaccinations should become available from April 17, and that visits to care homes should commence from April 3, subject to confirmation and vaccine availability.
The Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), which is overseeing the local vaccination programme, has also indicated that it plans to offer a mixture a walk-in clinic and booked appointments so that as many eligible people as possible will be able to conveniently access a spring booster, replicating its highly successful COVID vaccination programme of the last two years which has been highly praised for its efficiency and effect.
The spring booster will be offered to everyone aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults and people aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed.
There is a dedicated local COVID vaccination website which will have all the information people need to access a spring booster, including eligibility requirements and walk-in clinic locations, when the information becomes available.
The website also includes information on 1st and 2nd dose COVID vaccinations which are still being provided locally. Aligned to JCVI advice, availability of these vaccines will also conclude at the end of the spring campaign on 30th June ’23.
The local COVID vaccination telephone helpline is open Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on 0344 257 3961.
Liz Moloney, who is leading the vaccination programme for the ICB, said: “We know that many eligible people will be very keen to have their spring booster, and it’s fantastic that the benefits of COVID vaccination are recognised by so many, but we ask people to be patient.
“GP practices and community pharmacies are already extremely busy, so please don’t call them for a spring booster, as they won’t yet be able to help you.
“As soon as everything is in place, we’ll make getting a spring booster as easy as possible. For over two years we’ve been offering the COVID vaccination and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved. So, people can be confident that when the time comes, they’ll be able to get that extra dose of protection to best keep them safe.”