The Welsh Government has confirmed that a Autumn/ Winter 2023/24 COVID-19 booster vaccination programme will begin on 1st September for the most vulnerable individuals, including people over the age of 65, residents in care homes for older people, anyone aged 6 months and over in a clinical risk group, and health and social care staff.
Following advice from the expert Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), during Autumn 2023 the health board is recommending a single dose of Covid-19 vaccine be offered to:
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adults aged 65 and over
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residents in care homes for older adults, and
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individuals aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book
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individuals aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts, as defined in the Green Book, of people with immunosuppression
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frontline health care and social care staff
All eligible individuals will receive an appointment invitation from their local health board.
The above advice differs slightly from the 2022 autumn programme, as the age threshold for adults who are not in a clinical risk group or a household contact of someone with immunosuppression, has increased to 65. Given the high proportion of older adults with comorbidities and the higher uptake seen in universal age-based programmes, the JCVI considers at this transition stage of the pandemic recovery, it is cost effective and appropriate to offer vaccination to all adults aged 65 years and over. This means the age threshold for a Covid-19 autumn booster aligns with eligibility for flu vaccination in 2023.
The JCVI additionally advises that a primary course Covid-19 vaccination should change to consist of a single dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Eligibility for the offer of primary vaccination will be the same as for autumn 2023 booster vaccination, as the universal offer finished on the 30th June.
For more information on the Booster Programme please visit: https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/cavuhb-covid-19-mass-vaccination-programme/ or see https://www.gov.wales/covid-19-vaccination-programme
The offer of an autumn booster dose will end on 31 March 2024.
If you need to reschedule or cancel your Covid-19 vaccination, please complete this form, or call the booking centre on 02921 841234. Our phone lines are open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Please note our phone lines are very busy, so it may be quicker to complete the form.
REMINDER: DO NOT CALL THE SURGERY AS WE WILL BE UNABLE TO HELP WITH YOUR ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE BOOSTER PROGRAMME.
COVID-19 - Children and young people
Children aged 6 months to 4 are eligible for a two dose primary course of COVID-19 vaccination if they are considered to be in the at risk category (as defined in in the Green Book (gov.uk)
Eligible children are given a lower dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with an interval of at least 8 weeks between the first and second doses. The minimum interval between any vaccine dose and recent SARS-CoV-2 infection should be four weeks.
The parents or guardians of the children who qualify for this offer will be contacted directly by their health board.
For more information, go to:
Green Book COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Covid-19-vaccination-programme (GOV.WALES)
COVID-19 vaccination for travel
There is no longer any provision for those who require COVID-19 vaccination for travel purposes.
COVID-19 vaccination for travel is only available if you’re traveling to a country that requires proof of coronavirus vaccination for entry and you do not have the number of doses required. Most countries have no requirements, and some will allow you to enter if you take a coronavirus test prior to travel.
If you need a COVID-19 vaccine, please contact your local health board to discuss your circumstances.
Foreign travel advice is available at: Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
How do vaccinations work?
Most vaccines work by triggering an immune response from a weakened or inactive germ that causes the disease. The Covid vaccine works by giving our body a set of instructions to make a harmless “spike protein” which will create the antibodies and cells required to fight off coronavirus.
Who can get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The NHS had initially offered the COVID-19 vaccine to people most at risk from coronavirus. This has since been offered to all individuals, regardless of their risk, aged 18 and over.
Children and young people aged 5 to 17 years who are not at greater risk of serious illness from COVID infection should be offered their first and second dose of Pfizer vaccine 12 weeks apart. Children and young people aged 5-17 with certain health conditions are at higher risk of complications from COVID-19 and are recommended 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine 8 weeks apart
It has now been successfully given to:
- patients aged 60 and over
- people who live or work in care homes
- health and social care workers at high risk
- people at moderately increased risk due to chronic health conditions
- all adults aged 18 and over
- all children aged 12 - 18
You will need to be registered with a GP surgery in Wales to receive the vaccination. You can register with one if you do not have one.