The decision to reserve Covid-19 booster shots for those aged 65 and above during the upcoming winter has been praised by a prominent medical expert in the North East region. Dr. Janet Walker, Medical Director at the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) has lauded this move as evidence of the effectiveness of prior vaccine distribution efforts. The UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recently specified that individuals aged 50 to 64 will not receive booster jabs this year, a departure from the approach in 2022. Dr. Walker welcomed this strategy, asserting that it strategically targets individuals at the highest risk. Notably, individuals in high-risk categories such as those with respiratory ailments, diabetes, learning difficulties, pregnant women, healthcare and social care workers, and residents of care homes for older adults will still be eligible for the booster shot. Additionally, those aged 12 to 64 residing with immunocompromised individuals, like cancer and transplant patients, will also be included.
Dr. Walker underscored the significance of the targeted approach, stating, “Scaling back the vaccination of healthy 50-64-year-olds reflects the genuine success of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, highlighting the efficacy of vaccine distribution in safeguarding against infection, hospitalization, and mortality.”The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data indicated over 10,000 Covid-19-related deaths in England between September 2022 and March 2023. The report revealed that individuals who had received a Covid-19 vaccine were approximately 53% less likely to be hospitalized with the virus in the two to four weeks following vaccination.
Eligibility for the Covid-19 booster vaccine this autumn extends to various groups including older adult care home residents, individuals aged 65 and above, those between 6 months to 64 years in clinical risk groups, frontline health and social care workers, household contacts of immunocompromised individuals, and carers and staff in care homes for older adults. The eligible groups will also receive a complimentary flu vaccine. Dr. Walker emphasized the importance of staying vigilant against Covid-19 and flu, urging eligible individuals to promptly avail themselves of the vaccinations to safeguard against potential severe illness this winter. Those meeting the criteria will be contacted by the NHS and provided with booking instructions when it is their turn.
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