COVID-19 Vaccination Update 06.10.21

This week we have begun offering the COVID-19 vaccine to healthy 12-15-year-olds, while stepping up our efforts to get booster jabs into the arms of people who are most vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19.

As we enter the winter months, we want to remind people that it’s not too late to come forward for a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s also vitally important that those who have had their first dose receive their second, eight weeks later, in order to receive the very best protection.

For details on who is eligible for first, second and booster dose vaccines, and how they can receive their jab(s), please see our COVID-19 vaccination update from last week.

Vaccination Centre Locations

During the initial rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, we were incredibly grateful for the expertise of our primary care partners, whose support ensured that many people were able to receive their first and second dose jabs at their local GP surgery.

Primary care services are currently facing unprecedented demand, as well as the challenge of administering flu jabs to people across the region. For this reason, the majority of GP surgeries will not be taking part in the booster programme. As a result, those eligible may need to travel slightly further to receive their booster jab.

Although we are using a smaller number of vaccination locations, we are well placed to roll the booster vaccine out at speed.

Please don’t contact your GP surgery to enquire about your booster jab, unless you have been invited to do so. You will be contacted by the health board by letter and text message when it is your turn.

COVID-19 Vaccination Contact Centre

Our COVID-19 Vaccination Contact Centre is currently experiencing a high volume of calls from people enquiring about their booster vaccine, or wishing to reschedule an appointment.

Please help us get the vaccine into people’s arms as quickly as possible by waiting for an appointment invitation in the post. If you haven’t received an appointment, our COVID-19 Vaccination Contact Centre will not be able to book one for you.

Once you receive an appointment, please make every effort to keep to it.

Booster jab eligibility and the six-month interval

The JCVI recommends that people most vulnerable to serious infection should be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine, if a minimum of six months have passed since their second dose.

Please note that this does not mean that people should expect a booster jab appointment as soon as six months have passed since their second dose.

In line with JCVI guidance, we are inviting those eligible for a booster jab based on the same priority order as the first phase, provided at least six months have passed since their second dose.

We ask those who are eligible to please be patient and remember that there is no need to contact us to book an appointment. You will be contacted directly when it is your turn.

Published: Oct 7, 2021