The countdown to the COVID booster launch has begun

Posted on in Ipswich and East Suffolk News, North East Essex News, West Suffolk News

The countdown to the launch of the COVID booster vaccination campaign in Suffolk and north east Essex has begun.

The local vaccination website www.sneevaccine.org.uk has been newly refreshed and updated – it now features over 60 dates for upcoming COVID walk-in clinics, with many more times, dates and locations to be added over the coming weeks.

From next Monday September 11 those eligible will be able to go to a walk-in clinic to receive their vaccination with no need for appointment.  

Subject to vaccine availability many of these walk-in clinics will also be offering the flu vaccine to those eligible, and those attending for their COVID jab are encouraged to ask whether this is on offer.

Many GP practices will also be contacting eligible people inviting them to attend for vaccination.  Appointments can also be booked via the National Booking Service or by calling 119 from Monday September 18.

Eligibility for the COVID booster is decided nationally by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which advises the government.  The following groups are eligible:

  • Residents in a care home for older adults
  • All adults aged 65 years and over
  • Persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group
  • Frontline health and social care workers
  • Persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
  • Persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults.

Elizabeth Moloney (pictured below), who is leading the COVID booster vaccination rollout for the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to get the ball rolling on the COVID booster programme and I encourage everyone eligible to take up the offer.

“As we enter autumn we remain cautious on how the COVID virus may present itself over the coming months.  New variants make it all the more important for people to protect their health with vaccination.

“If you have a friend, relative or neighbour who is eligible I urge you to have a conversation with them to make sure they know the booster will soon be available and that they know where to go.

“Let’s continue to do all we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”