Over 65s in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin urged to book their COVID-19 Autumn booster

People aged 65 and over in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are being urged to book their COVID-19 autumn booster online via the National Booking Service or by calling NHS 119 to ensure the best protection against coronavirus through the winter months.

The vaccination booster programme has got off to a good start in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin with over 18,000 autumn boosters delivered so far and 9,000 already booked for the week ahead.

The NHS COVID vaccine service is also now offering appointments to carers, pregnant women, those at higher risk of COVID due to a health condition, people who are immunosuppressed and all frontline health and social care workers.

There are more than 30 sites available across the county that are now offering COVID boosters – mainly community pharmacists and GP premises as well as a few bigger centres such as the vaccination centre at The Robert Jones Agnus Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital – so it should be more convenient than ever for people to get their vaccinations.

Alison Bussey, Chief Nursing Officer at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: “Winter is always a challenging time in the NHS, and this year we’re likely to have a resurgence in both Covid and flu, so it’s more important than ever to make sure you and your loved ones have the best protection from serious illness, and get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations as well as your annual flu jab.

“If you are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine whether it is your first, second or autumn booster I urge you to come forward as soon as possible and top up your immunity. This will help protect yourself and those most vulnerable to COVID-19 ahead of winter helping us to continue to live with the virus.

“We are delighted that our vaccination programme in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin has got off to a good start with thousands already having received their vaccination and with lots more people booked in to receive their vaccination in the coming weeks.”

As with previous campaigns, those most at risk will be called forward first, with people able to book in online or through 119 as long as it has been three months since their last dose.

People aged 75 and over, the severely immunosuppressed, and frontline health and care workers have been able to book their latest booster dose since 7 September – with appointments starting from 12 September. Over 65s have been able to book their appointments since 12 September.

The NHS will also begin rolling out the flu vaccine and encouraging eligible people to take up the offer. Flu vaccinations will be offered to more vulnerable groups first. Younger children, older people, those in clinical risk groups and pregnant women will be able to book an appointment for a flu vaccine at their GP practice or a pharmacy. From mid-October 2022,

People aged 50 to 64 years old that aren’t in a clinical risk group, will also be able to get their free flu vaccine.

More than 23 million COVID-19 vaccinations have now been delivered across the Midlands as a whole. To book a COVID-19 vaccine you can use the National Booking Service online, or alternatively call 119.