Article Date: 15th October 2021

Booster vaccinations – you don’t need to wait until you’re invited

From today, local people no longer have to wait to receive an invitation from the NHS to have their COVID-19 booster vaccination.

Now, anyone in an eligible group who had their 2^nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago, which is Easter-time/mid-April or before, can go to a walk-in, no-appointment clinic for a booster vaccination, book via the national NHS website or call 119.

Previously, people had to wait to receive a letter or text from the NHS saying they were eligible.

The number of locations where people can have their booster vaccination has also been increased, including many local pharmacies now offering booked appointments, in addition to around 60 walk-in clinics which are taking place locally over the coming weeks – full details at www.sneevaccine.org.uk

So far 34,588 booster vaccines have been administered across the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), and this latest move aims to encourage even speedier take-up.

People are eligible for a booster six months after receiving their 2^nd dose, and  include those aged 50 years and over, frontline volunteers and health and social care staff, people with severely weakened immune systems and their resident household contacts and those aged under 50 with an underlying health condition.