Rollout scheme for boosters under way

THE Department of Health has issued some guidance on the delivery of Covid booster jabs.

The move comes in the wake of the emergence of the Omnicron variant. And a change to guidance on booster doses shifting the time between second dose and booster from six months to three.

However, the department said the roll-out will be phased to allow prioritisation of older and more vulnerable groups.

KEY POINTS

■ Newly opened health trust vaccination clinics are offering boosters to the over 50s.they will also provide first and second doses to anyone eligible.

■ If you are 50 or over and it’s been at least three months since your second dose, you can get your booster. You can get it at a trust clinic, a participating pharmacy – or wait for your GP to invite you in.

■ If you are 40-49, you are next on the age priority list. Eligibility will be extended on a phased basis, as quickly as possible. People in their 40s who had their second dose six months ago or more can also get their booster at a health trust clinic. Eligibility will be widened in the weeks, reducing to the recommended three-month interval.

■ Vaccinators will work through all adult age groups in a phased way, just as they did in the original vaccination programme earlier this year. The updated Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice makes clear boosters “will be offered in order of descending age groups, with priority given to the vaccination of older adults and those in a Covid-19 at-risk group”.

■ People under 40 who are more vulnerable to Covid are already being prioritised, alongside older age groups.

■ The JCVI’S announcement also says that those aged 18 to 39 will be eligible for a booster when the NHS calls them forward. We will call them forward on phased basis in order of descending age groups, as the JCVI has advised. We ask that people wait until their age group is called forward.

■ The booster programme involves the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines. Asked what people should do if they had the Astrazeneca jab for doses one and two, the department said people’s “booster dose does not have to be same vaccine as your first and second doses”.

■ Most vaccination hubs are offering walk-in and booked appointments. Bookings can be made at: https://covid-19.hscni. net/get-vaccinated/