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.

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Spring COVID-19 vaccine roll out to start in the Black 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.
Advice and Information

Less than a week left to get a flu vaccine

Eligible people in the Black Country are being reminded they only have a few days left to take up the offer of a flu vaccine before the offer ends on Monday 31 March.

The flu vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu, including those:
• aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2025)
• who have certain long-term health conditions
• are pregnant
• who live in a care home
• who are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
• who live with someone who has a weakened immune system.

Eligible people can get a flu vaccine a range of community pharmacies in the Black Country, with no appointment necessary. To find a pharmacy near you visit the NHS website.

A number of community pop-up clinics in Walsall and Dudley are available until Monday, offering vaccines on a walk-in basis:

Walsall
• Willenhall Market, Market Place, Willenhall, WV13 2AA, Wednesday 26 March 2025,
9am-3pm
Dudley
• Dudley Market Place, High Street, DY1 1PQ, Friday 28 March 2025, 9am-2pm
• Asda, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3BJ, Monday 31 March 2025, 10am-4pm

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “There are only a few days left to get your flu vaccine before the offer ends on Monday 31 March.

“The flu vaccine provides the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation.
“If you haven’t had yours yet, there’s still time to come forward and get protected.”
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