Less than three weeks remaining to book a Covid-19 Autumn booster

NHS Greater Manchester (GM) is urging all eligible people who haven’t already had their Covid-19 booster vaccine to come forward to protect themselves and vulnerable people during the coming winter.

Both the National Booking Service (NBS) appointments and 119 appointments close in mid-December.

More than 400,000 booster vaccines have been delivered in Greater Manchester to people who are most at risk of becoming seriously ill with the virus since the latest phase of the Covid-19 vaccination programme launched in September, but many more people are yet to come forward.

Dr Helen Wall, clinical director for population health at NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care said: “It’s great news that more than 400,000 people who are eligible for the autumn/winter Covid-19 booster have already come forward for the extra protection. But with more than half of those eligible still to be vaccinated, I would urge anyone who is eligible and has yet to get the top up of protection, to book one of the thousands of appointments we have available and get protected in time for Christmas.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the festive period and all the fun that comes along with it, without the risk of becoming seriously ill, which is why the vaccines are so important. They continue to provide the best protection against complications and hospitalisation from Covid-19 and flu, so please make sure you get vaccinated when offered and encourage loved ones who are eligible to do the same.

“For the remaining time, booking an appointment is easier than ever, as well as the National Booking Service and calling 119, you can book on the NHS App.”

Over the next few weeks, thousands of bookable appointments will be available for those eligible in Greater Manchester to come forward for the latest dose of both the Covid-19 and flu vaccine. A number of sites, including community pharmacies, may also offer walk-in appointments.

Although the last chance to book appointments via 119 is on Friday 15 December, and NBS is on Thursday 14 December, with the final appointments taking place on Friday 15 December – some Covid vaccinations may continue to be offered through walk-in and outreach clinics after that date and may also be offered to people who become newly immunosuppressed after the programme ends.

Wherever possible, vaccinations for flu and Covid-19 will be offered at the same time – making it easier and more convenient for people to get vital protection from both viruses ahead of winter. They will also be offered separately if preferred.

It is important that those eligible this year come forward for their vaccinations as protection fades over time, and the virus that causes flu and Covid can change from year to year.

There is no change to flu vaccinations for children which have been offered in primary and secondary schools from early October, to prevent children from getting seriously ill from flu and ending up hospital, and to break the chain of transmission of the virus to the wider population.

The nasal flu vaccine is the most effective vaccine for children aged 2-17 years but if this is not suitable the GP, practice nurse or school nurse may be able to offer a flu vaccine injection as an alternative.

NHS GM is particularly keen to vaccinate children aged 2-3 years early on for flu, due to the high number of hospitalisations in under 5s with flu last year – these are offered at all GP practices.

Health and social care workers, as well as carers are also eligible for the winter vaccines and encouraged to come forward as soon as they can to ensure they are protected.

In line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:

• those aged 65 years and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2024)
• those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book, chapter 19 (Influenza)
• pregnant women
• all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
• school-aged children (from Reception to Year 11)
• those in long-stay residential care homes
• carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants

Those eligible for an autumn covid vaccine are:

• residents in a care home for older adults
• all adults aged 65 years and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2024)
• persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book, chapter 14a (Covid-19)
• frontline health and social care workers
• persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression
• persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults.

For more information about the Autumn Winter vaccine programme you can visit: https://gmintegratedcare.org.uk/find-a-service/flu-and-covid-vaccinations/.

To find your nearest COVID-19 walk in clinic visit: https://gmintegratedcare.org.uk/covid-vaccine-walk-in-clinics/.