Derbyshire care home residents get first jabs as Covid-19 Autumn booster is made available to those most at risk

Vulnerable and older people across Derby and Derbyshire who are most at risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19 are amongst the first to be offered an autumn booster jab this week.

Residents in more than 300 care homes across the county, as well as staff and people that are housebound, are now eligible to have the latest Covid-19 booster vaccination which offers enhanced protection from the effects of the virus ahead of the winter season.

Derby and Derbyshire NHS staff began giving the jabs to care home residents today, with the people being cared for at Kiwi Care Home in Derby being some of the first to receive the updated vaccination which has improved protection against the Omicron variant. Booster jabs will continue to be given to care home residents and staff for the rest of this week and throughout September and October.

Appointments are also open to those aged 75 and over from tomorrow (Wednesday 6 September), as well as frontline health and social care workers, and can be booked through the National Booking Service or by calling 119. They will be eligible to get their jab from next week (Monday 12 September).

Ahead of winter, the booster will be offered to everyone aged 50 and over, as well as those who are at highest risk from serious illness such as pregnant women and people with long-term health conditions. In line with advice set out by the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the oldest and most vulnerable have been called forward first, followed by a phased rollout to other eligible groups throughout September and October.

Dr Steve Lloyd, who is the Senior Responsible Officer for the vaccination programme in Derbyshire, said: “We’re pleased to see that the rollout of the autumn booster is underway, and I would encourage everyone who is invited to take up the offer of the newly improved booster as soon as possible. This is an important next step to protect against the Covid-19 virus and the booster will increase people’s protection as we head into the winter months, especially with the risk of the flu virus being in circulation at the same time.

“Vaccination against Covid-19 remains our best defence against becoming very unwell and we have already seen how well the previous boosters have worked in preventing people from getting seriously ill and having to be admitted to hospital. I urge you to book for both your Covid-19 and flu booster vaccinations when invited to ensure maximum protection. We need everyone to play their part to keep our community protected.”

The NHS will also be rolling out the flu vaccine and encouraging eligible people to book a flu jab through their GP or local pharmacy.