People in Somerset are being encouraged to get their Covid-19 boosters before the scheme ends on Sunday 12 February. This affects the Autumn booster and the third primary jab booster.

After this date there will still be a reduced ‘evergreen’ offer of 1st and 2nd vaccinations although it is likely, following JCVI advice, that this will be phased out at some point in the summer whilst plans for a 2023 rollout are being set out.

The JCVI have advised that there will be a Spring Booster vaccination programme for a smaller group of people, such as those who are older and those who are immunosuppressed, with more detail to be released shortly.

This means that Sunday 12 February will be the last chance for anyone who has been invited for a Covid-19 booster to take up their offer, until future campaigns are agreed by JCVI and Government. Somerset’s Public Health team, together with NHS Somerset are encouraging anyone who is eligible to come forward for their covid boosters whilst they are still able.

Caroline Upton, Lead Nurse for Somerset’s Covid Vaccination programme explains how people can still get their jabs:

Whilst the vaccination programme in Somerset has been extremely successful, we are aware that there are a number of people who are yet to come forward. Across the County we are still offering appointments and walk-in clinics for anyone who is eligible. The booster programme will end on the 12th February but we will still continue to offer 1st and 2nd jabs for the time being. The average appointment takes less than 15 minutes, and we have plenty of availability in our vaccination centres.

Professor Trudi Grant, Somerset’s Director of Public Health said:

Although life has returned to some normality since the height of the pandemic, I want to remind Somerset residents that Covid is still circulating, and the best way to stay safe and protect ourselves and our loved ones from unnecessary illness is to get vaccinated.

I would strongly encourage everyone who is currently eligible for a first booster and is yet to come forward to do so before the offer closes.

Since the beginning of the vaccination programme 81% of Somerset’s population have had at least one dose of the covid-19 jab and in the current Autumn Booster programme the percentage is 72.5%

You can have an autumn booster of the Covid-19 vaccine if you are:

• aged 50 or over – you do not need a seasonal booster if you turned 50 on or after 1 January 2023
  pregnant
• aged 5 and over and at high risk from Covid-19 due to a health condition or a weakened immune system
• aged 5 and over and live with someone who has a weakened immune system
• aged 16 and over and a carer, either paid or unpaid
• living or working in a care home for older people
• any health or social care worker

Members of the public can book an appointment for their vaccine via https://bit.ly/SomersetCovidBookings or by calling NHS 119. Alternatively walk in clinics can be found by visiting the Grab a Jab https://bit.ly/CovidWalkInSomerset