NHS is ready for future COVID booster vaccination programme, with 1st and 2nd doses still on offer

The Medical Director of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Suffolk and north east Essex has said the NHS is ready to respond should a future COVID-19 booster vaccination get announced.

Dr Richard West said the system is yet to receive confirmation from NHS England about whether further booster COVID-19 vaccination campaign will be delivered in the coming months.

However, he added while the Autumn/winter booster campaign concluded last month, first and second doses of the vaccine are still available to people who have not yet had them.

Dr West said: “The COVID-19 vaccine is relatively new and we are still in the process of learning about what is the best distance between vaccinations and courses of vaccines to ensure everyone gets maximum protection with minimum side effects. 

“The national advisory group – the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) – constantly looks at what’s going on in terms of world prevalence and how long the vaccine and antibodies last for. 

“They’re trying to vaccinate at a rate that is most beneficial to the population, especially vulnerable people.”

“I encourage people to continue to adopt good hygiene actions (e.g. washing hands regularly) and to follow NHS advice should you think or know you have Covid-19 – What to do if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) or symptoms of COVID-19 – NHS (www.nhs.uk)”.

For more information about the local COVID-19 vaccination programme – and to see available walk in clinics across Suffolk and north east Essex, please visit www.sneevaccine.org.uk