In the next few days we will begin contacting all eligible patients to invite them to book appointments for their Flu and COVID booster vaccinations.
The guidance for who is eligible for flu and COVID vaccines has changed this year so please read the information below to understand which vaccines will be available to you.
This year you will only be eligible for a free autumn COVID booster if you:
- are aged 75 or over
- live in a care home for older adults
- are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment. This will include patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, have had an organ transplant, are prescribed immunosuppressing medications etc. It does not include patients who have other long-term conditions such as Asthma, Diabetes or heart disease etc.
You are eligible for a free autumn flu vaccination if you:
- are aged 65 or over
- have certain long-term health conditions such as COPD or Diabetes
- are pregnant
- live in a care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
As with previous years our main vaccination clinics will be held on Saturdays in October and November.
To help us to ensure that everyone receives the correct vaccinations for them some clinics will be restricted to specific age groups.
Why has the criteria for COVID boosters changed?
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: This decision is based on expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which continuously monitor and evaluate emerging scientific evidence on COVID-19 vaccines. The autumn 2025 vaccination programme will target people who are at the highest risk of serious illness to protect the most vulnerable. We encourage anyone who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccination to come forward for vaccination this autumn.