Local NHS issues COVID-19 vaccination reminder to those who are immunosuppressed

Health chiefs from NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) are reminding the public of the offer of a COVID-19 booster vaccination to help provide extra protection for those at greatest risk from the virus this winter.

Those groups that have now been invited for their vaccinations includes those who are immunosuppressed, care home residents and those aged 50 and over. 

In line with the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the autumn (or seasonal) booster is now being offered to:

• People who live or work in a care home for older adults
• Frontline health and social care workers
• People aged 50 years or over
• People aged 5 – 49 who are immunosuppressed
• People aged 5 – 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19
• Pregnant women
• People aged 16 – 49 who are carers
• People aged 5 – 49 who live with someone who is immunosuppressed

Please do not contact your GP practice for an appointment unless you have received an invitation, you will be contacted when it is your turn to have your booster.

Craig Lister, COVID immunisation and vaccination strategy lead at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership said:

“It is incredibly important that those who are having treatments and or have a condition that means they have a severely weakened immune system takes up the opportunity to have their booster vaccination.

“These conditions include:

• a blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
• a weakened immune system due to a treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
• an organ or bone marrow transplant
• a condition that means you have a very high risk of getting infections
• a condition or treatment your specialist advises makes you eligible for booster dose

“Vaccinations are your best form of protection this winter.  Viruses, like COVID-19, spread much more easily in winter when we socialise indoors, so it’s important that everyone eligible tops up their protection with an autumn booster.

“If you’re currently classed as immunosuppressed you think you’re eligible for a seasonal booster vaccination, but you have not been contacted by the NHS to arrange this, contact your GP practice for support.”

If you are eligible for a booster, please help to keep yourself and those around you safe by getting vaccinated when you are invited.  For more information about the autumn boosters and the COVID vaccination programme, visit www.blmkhealthandcarepartnership.org/covid-19.

If you have not yet completed your vaccination course, you can still get whichever jab you need – book an appointment using the online National Booking Service or by calling 119. Calls are free of charge and lines are open 8am-8pm Monday – Friday and 8am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

There are many options available to enable the general public to get their COVID-19 booster jabs, full details can be found on the ICB website: www.blmkhealthandcarepartnership.org/covid-19.