Is it an emergency?
Posted on
in Ipswich and East Suffolk News, North East Essex News, West Suffolk News
From Monday April 17 those eligible for a spring COVID booster vaccination will be able to get theirs at a local walk-in clinic or by making a booked appointment with their GP or community pharmacy.
In line with national guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation the spring booster will only be available to those aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults and people aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed, from April 17 to June 30 2023.
Booked appointments can be made from this Wednesday (April 5) on the national NHS website and the local vaccination website is already being populated with dates and locations of upcoming walk-in clinics operating from April 17.
Anyone unable to book online can call 119. There is also a local telephone helpline on 0344 257 3961 for anyone with any questions, open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Those eligible will soon be receiving an invite to take up the offer of a spring booster, but do not need to wait to receive this invite before making a booking or going to a walk-in clinic.
The current offer of 1st and 2nd (primary) doses of the COVID vaccination for everyone aged five and over will also come to an end at the same time on June 30.
Liz Moloney, who is leading on the COVID vaccination programme for the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “From April 17 spring boosters will be available locally for all those who are eligible, and I encourage people to take up the offer by making a booked appointment or going to a walk-in clinic.
“In line with national guidance this is a time-limited offer and the spring boosters will only be available until the end of June, so don’t put off getting this extra protection. COVID is still very much with us.
“I also urge anyone still to have their 1st or 2nd dose to take up the offer before the end of June. It’s proven that vaccination is the best protection against COVID, which can have long-lasting consequences.”
ENDS