Seasonal Flu and COVID Booster Vaccinations Autumn 2023

In line with government guidance to maximise and extend protection during the winter, vaccination of eligible patients begins in October, and runs until mid-December.

In order to improve efficiencies, we are encouraged to co-administer both vaccines at the same time.

The following cohorts of patients 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

Government guidance asks us to start vaccinating care home residents and care home staff from 2^nd October, then all other eligible cohorts from the 7^th October.

We will start inviting our 6,500 eligible patients soon, by either letter or text.

As you can imagine, we are very busy. We ask politely that you refrain from calling the health centre and wait to hear from us.

If you have any other questions please utilise our dedicated email: sneeicb-ws.covid19queries@nhs.net

Thank you for your patience and continued support.

Please be aware that you cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine if you have had the virus within the last 4 weeks (12 weeks for patients under 18 years)

# All those who turn 65 years by 31 March 2024 are eligible for both vaccinations.

** As laid out in the COVID-19 Chapter of the Immunisation Green Book