APRIL UPDATE
The spring booster campaign 2022
Following the winter booster campaign, the JCVI have now recommended a spring booster campaign for the most vulnerable, 6 months after their last booster dose.
They have defined the most vulnerable as:
- adults aged 75 years and over
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed
We recognise that many among you will be disappointed, as the majority who fell into the previous “clinically extremely vulnerable” categories will not be eligible for the spring booster programme. Although we do not have details yet, we do expect a wider cohort to be included in an autumn/winter booster programme later in the year.
How do I get my vaccination?
Please either attend a walk-in centre or make a booking through 119. To find details of your nearest covid vaccination centre us the BLMK CCG website at:
https://www.blmkccg.nhs.uk/covid-19/drop-in-covid-19-vaccination-sessions-available/
We have now been informed that the GP practices in Central Bedfordshire will not be a part of this delivery, so with regret we cannot offer an appointment at the surgery.
If you are eligible for the vaccination due to immunosuppression a vaccination centre may ask for evidence of this, so if you have a repeat prescription slip or a hospital letter that shows this information please take it with you.
Who is eligible?
All adults age 75 and over, and all residents of care homes for older adults are eligible, as well as individuals aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed. This booster should be 6 months after your autumn/winter booster.
Immunosuppression can be due to disease or treatment. These are people who:
- are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy,
- transplant recipients of solid organs, bone marrow or stem cell transplant,
- HIV infection at all stages,
- anyone with a history of haematological malignancy, including leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma,
- genetic disorders affecting the immune system (e.g. IRAK-4, NEMO, complement disorder, SCID),
- individuals who are receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulating biological therapy (e.g. anti-TNF, alemtuzumab, ofatumumab, rituximab, patients receiving protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors),
- individuals treated with oral immune modulating drugs e.g. methotrexate, azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate,
- individuals treated with or likely to be treated with moderate to high corticosteroids for more than a month (at a dose equivalent to prednisolone at 20mg or more per day for adults),
- 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.
If you are unsure if you fall into the immunosuppressed category the practice can have a look at your record and confirm for you. However, we cannot authorise a spring booster for clinically vulnerable people as these have not been included in the JCVI recommendations.
What if I have already had 4 doses?
Some people who were immunosuppressed had 3 primary doses and a booster (i.e. have already had 4 doses). They are also eligible for a booster under the spring booster programme. They should leave at least 3 months after their last booster before they attend for a further booster as part of the spring programme.