Last chance for spring COVID-19 vaccination

News - 3 June 2024

The NHS is urging anyone eligible for a spring COVID-19 vaccination to come forward now.

The spring COVID-19 vaccination roll out started in April, with adults aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults and those aged six months and over who have a weakened immune system invited to receive a vaccine.

Following advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), those eligible for a vaccine have until Saturday 29 June to book an appointment, with the last spring vaccinations on offer the following day on Sunday 30 June. Appointments can be booked via the National Booking System, the NHS App or by calling 119.

Pop-up clinics have also been set up across the Black Country, offering spring COVID-19 vaccines to those eligible on a walk-in basis. The clinics will be running until the end of June, with no appointment necessary. More dates and locations can be found on the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board’s (ICBs) website.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country ICB, said: “With people starting to finally feel the spring and see some sunshine, it’s easy to forget that, despite the winter being behind us, many people remain vulnerable to COVID-19.

“Having the spring COVID-19 vaccine helps those most risk, including the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, to maintain a high level of protection and helps prevent them from becoming seriously ill or needing treatment in hospital.

“If you are eligible and are yet to come forward for a vaccine, it’s not too late. However, there are only a few weeks left to book an appointment or visit one our pop-up centres, as the offer ends on Sunday 30 June.”

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Get vaccinated and protect yourself this winter

Eligible people in the Black Country are being invited to come forward for a flu and COVID19 vaccine from this week.

The vaccination programmes are set to start from Thursday 3 October 2024, with appointments
available to book now.

Similar to last year, those eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccine include:
• all adults aged 65 years and over
• people who live in a care home for older adults
• people aged 6 months to 64 years with health conditions that make them more vulnerable
• frontline health and social care staff, including in care homes for older adults
• pregnant women.

The flu vaccine is also available to children aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) and children with certain long-term health conditions.

Eligible people can book an appointment via the NHS website, on the NHS App or by calling 119.
Community pop-up clinics are also being hosted at a range of locations in the Black Country, with flu and COVID-19 vaccines available for eligible adults on a walk-in basis, with no appointment necessary. To find your nearest pop-up clinic, visit the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) website here.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for NHS Black Country ICB, said: "It’s vital that everyone prepares for potential winter illnesses, especially those who are at higher risk.

“It can be easy to become complacent, however it’s important for those who are eligible to top up
their protection, even if they have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as
immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.
“Vaccines remain our best defence, keeping people from developing serious illnesses and helping
to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months. So, I would encourage anyone who
receives an invite for either vaccine to please get booked in as soon as possible.”
Calls to 119 are free from mobiles and landlines and the booking service provides support in
200 different languages. Those who have difficulties communicating or hearing or are a BSL user
can use textphone 18001 or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service.
Advice and Information

RSV vaccine to be offered in the Black Country

Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), from 1 September 2024 the NHS will invite everyone aged 75 to 79 to come forward for a free vaccine to protect them from RSV.

Pregnant women are also being offered the vaccine from 28 weeks into their pregnancy to help protect their babies from RSV for the first few months after they’re born.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness and can be particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly. It can occur all year round, but cases peak each winter leaving thousands of vulnerable people needing hospital care.

“The RSV vaccine is safe and effective and is the best way to protect yourself against infections caused by RSV. This is a new vaccination programme that will protect thousands of people from serious illness each winter, keeping more people out of hospital and from needing to see a GP.

“I would encourage everyone who receives an invite to come forward and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Older adults will be offered the RSV vaccination by their GP practice. Pregnant women over 28 weeks will be offered the vaccine by the maternity service they are receiving antenatal care from.
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