Spring Covid vaccination programme opens for elderly and vulnerable

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE’S most vulnerable residents have been urged to come forward for spring Covid vaccinations.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that anyone older than 75-years-old, those living in a care home, and immunosuppressed people older than six-months-old, should be offered a jab.

Those eligible are now able to book an appointment on the NHS App or online and vaccinations are starting to be administered in care homes.

NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s medical director, Dr Dave Briggs, said: “Covid-19 is more serious in older adults and in people with certain health conditions. If you are eligible for a spring vaccination, we recommend you come forward as soon as possible as your protection may have faded since your last dose.

“There is no shortage of clinics in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

We have more than 70 sites offering the Covid vaccine which should make it as easy as possible for vulnerable people to quickly and conveniently get protected.

“We look forward to welcoming people back into our vaccination clinics for the spring vaccination programme and as always, if anyone has any worries or questions, speak to your GP or clinician.” Some of the conditions which make a person eligible for a spring Covid vaccine include:

■Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy;

■Organ transplant, bone marrow or stem cell transplant recipients;

■HIV infection;

■Genetic disorders affecting the immune system;

■Those who require long term immunosuppressive treatment for conditions including, but not limited to, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, scleroderma and psoriasis;

■Individuals who are receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy.

Visit the NHS website for more information. Covid vaccinations will be available until June 30.