Black Country Questions for the BC ICB FOI/EIR 1143 National Policy & Holding ICBs to account
News - 24 March 2025
Following communication from HealthWatch England (HWE), local HealthWatch (HW) were encouraged to submit the following questions to their local ICB. HWW duly submitted the questions which had been tailored for the Black Country. The questions were submitted under a Freddom Of Information request which the ICB duly responded to and gave permission for their responses to be made public via our website. The ICB responses are shown in blue.
NHS and social care staff are doing everything they can to keep us well during these challenging times, but there might be things that can be improved for you and your loved ones, both in the area you live in and across the country.
Eligible people in the Black Country are invited to come forward for spring COVID-19 vaccine from next week.
Similar to last year’s spring COVID-19 vaccine roll out, those eligible for a vaccine include:
• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged six months and over who have a weakened immune system.
Those who turn 75 years old between 1 April and 17 June 2025 can also have the jab. Appointments can be booked now via the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119, with first appointments available from Tuesday 1 April until Tuesday 17 June.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “The vaccine has been our most effective tool against COVID-19, saving countless lives and helping thousands of people to stay out of hospital.
“However, protection against COVID-19, from either from catching the virus or from a previous vaccination, can fade over time and the circulating strain of the virus can change. That’s why if you are at higher risk of severe illness from the virus, it is important that you top up your protection and come forward for a vaccine this spring.
“If you know you’re eligible, you don’t need to wait to be contacted, you can book an appointment via the NHS website, the NHS App or by calling 119 today.”
While having the spring vaccine around six months after your last dose is the usual timeframe, eligible people can have it as soon as three months after a previous COVID-19 vaccine dose.
If you are eligible, you can get protection from a spring COVID-19 vaccination even if you have not taken up a COVID-19 vaccine offer in the past.
