Spring COVID boosters are coming soon to Suffolk as NHS asks for patience

Following the recent national announcement that a spring booster dose of COVID vaccine will be offered to people at highest risk of severe illness, people in Suffolk are being reminded that they need to wait until the vaccination programme is officially launched.

People are being urged by the NHS not to contact their GP practice and to wait for further announcements on when spring boosters will be available across the county.

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.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the government on Covid-19 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.

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-19 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-19 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.”

There is a dedicated local COVID vaccination website at www.sneevaccine.org.uk 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 first and second dose Covid-19 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 June 30, 2023.

The local COVID vaccination telephone helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0344 257 3961.