Autumn 2022 COVID-19 vaccine booster programme information

Priority groups announced for autumn COVID-19 vaccine booster programme.

The government has accepted final advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which states that the following people should be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine this autumn:

• Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• Frontline health and social care workers
• All adults aged 50 years and over
• Persons aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, as set out in the Green Book Chapter 14a (tables 3 & 4) - this includes people who are immunosuppressed
• Persons aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• Persons aged 16 to 49 years who are carers, as set out in the Green Book Chapter 14a (table 3)

The primary aim of the COVID-19 autumn booster programme is to increase immunity in those at higher risk of severe COVID-19 during winter 2022 to 2023.

The flu programme will begin as usual on 1st September. The formal launch of the COVID-19 autumn booster programme will take place on 12th September.

The National Booking Service for COVID-19 autumn boosters will open in the week commencing 5th September to those aged 75 years and over, and self-declaring health and social care workers to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointment from the week commencing 12th September. Invitations will also be sent out via SMS, email and letter.

The National Booking Service will extend to the other priority groups listed above in due course, with further announcements set to be made. Immunosuppressed people will be able to continue to self-declare or attend walk-ins for their vaccination in line with existing guidance.

You can find out more about the autumn COVID-19 vaccine booster programme here.