Eighty two per cent of people eligible for their spring booster have received theirs, according to the latest government figures.
Spring boosters are offered to all over 75 year olds, people over the age of 12 who are immunosuppressed, and residents in care homes for elderly people.
UK Health Security Agency Chief Executive, Dr Jenny Harries, said:
“The spring booster offers additional protection to those most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
“Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent falling seriously ill, so these latest uptake figures are very encouraging.”
Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said:
“Living with coronavirus in our communities is the new norm, and with it there is an onus on us all to do everything we can to protect ourselves from becoming seriously ill should we catch it.
“As the government announces new booster programmes, it’s important that those invited come forward. It is never too late for anyone to come forward for their vaccination, if you have missed any.”
Autumn 2022 booster programme recommended
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is recommending an autumn 2022 booster programme, to maintain protection against severe COVID-19 this winter.
Like the spring booster, the autumn booster is likely to be for vulnerable adults, as well as frontline social care and health workers.
The recommendation is interim for now, recognising the considerable uncertainty around likelihood, timing and severity of any potential future wave of COVID-19.
The committee recommends that the booster be offered to:
- residents in care homes for older adults and staff
- frontline health and social care workers
- all those 65 years of age and over
- adults aged 16 to 64 years old who are in a clinical risk group
The JCVI will announce its final plans for the autumn booster programme, including definitions of clinical risk groups, in due course.