Who will be offered Covid booster jabs and when do they get one?

PEOPLE who have already had two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have started to receive invitations for a booster jab.

Eligible groups living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland who had their second dose at least six months ago will now be invited for the topup dose.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) advice earlier this month was to offer a booster dose to vulnerable groups ahead of an “unpredictable winter”.

It comes after data from Public Health England suggests that, like other vaccines, the protection provided against severe Covid-19 decreases over time.

Those eligible for the booster jab include:

■ People living in residential care homes for older adults;

■ Adults aged 50 or older;

■ Frontline health and social care workers;

■ All those aged 16 to 49 with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe Covid19 and adult carers;

■ Adult house contacts of immunosuppressed individuals.

Not everyone in the above groups will be invited at once.

Some of those in the priority groups will not be eligible for the “top-up” jab until the new year, according to Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group.

Like the initial vaccination rollout that started in December 2020, care home residents and staff will be prioritised. Local health bosses aim to ensure they are offered a vaccine by the beginning of next month.

People being invited for a vaccine can expect a call or test from their GP to get the jab or an invitation by the national booking service.

Locally, the programme will be delivered through existing vaccine sites, including dedicated vaccination centres, pharmacies and GPs.

Hospital hubs have also opened for health and care staff only.

Anyone who had their second dose at least six months ago does not have to return to the same place for their booster jab.

Health bosses have confirmed that Rutland patients will now receive their vaccinations from Oakham Enterprise Park. Patients registered with GP practices in South Blaby and Lutterworth Primary Care Network – which includes Countesthorpe Health Centre, Wycliffe Medical Practice, Northfield Medical Centre, Hazelmere Medical Centre and the Masharani Practice – will receive their vaccinations at Feilding Palmer Hospital.

The JCVI has advised that the Pfizer vaccine should be offered to everyone, regardless of which brand was given for primary doses, following vaccine trials. Alternatively, a half dose of the Moderna vaccine has been advised.

In Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland, NHS bosses have confirmed that the eligible groups will be given the Pfizer vaccine initially.

An LLR clinical commissioning group spokesman said: “Everyone will be given the Pfizer vaccine to start with in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, but it is hoped that Moderna will also be available in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in the future.”

A “third dose” of the Covid-19 vaccine has been offered to people with severely weakened immune systems. This is part of separate national advice and different to the booster dose.

People aged 12 or older who had severely suppressed immune systems at the time of their second jab are invited at least eight weeks after their last dose.

Those invited for the third dose includes people with leukaemia, advanced HIV and recent organ transplants.

Unlike the third dose, the booster dose is given later to extend the duration of protection following the initial course of vaccinations.

Anyone who still needs their second dose can still do so at walk-in clinics or booking at one of the clinics listed of the LLR CCG site.

In Leicestershire and Rutland, NHS bosses have confirmed that the eligible groups will be given the Pfizer vaccine initially. CARE HOME STAFF AND RESIDENTS WILL BE TOP PRIORITY