Coronavirus: Vaccination

(asked on 24th January 2022) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timeframe is for his Department to issue clear guidance on the prioritisation and coordination of covid-19 booster doses for immunocompromised people alongside booster doses for all 18 to 39 year olds and second doses for those aged 12 to 15 years.


Answered by
Maggie Throup Portrait
Maggie Throup
This question was answered on 28th January 2022

On 29 November 2021, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation updated its COVID-19 vaccination advice in response to the Omicron variant. The advice stated that all those aged 18 years old or over should be eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccine; 12 to 15 year olds should be eligible for two doses; and that those with severe immunosuppression should be eligible for a fourth dose as a booster.

NHS England and NHS Improvement published guidance to all systems regarding the next steps of vaccine deployment. This guidance stated the need to continue to prioritise the severely immunosuppressed and also asked all systems to create additional capacity for those aged over 18 years old to receive their booster and to ensure that eligible children are able to access vaccination. It was published on 13 December 2021 and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2021/12/C1488-letter-next-steps-for-the-nhs-covid-19-vaccine-deployment.pdf

The National Health Service opened bookings for 12 to 15 year olds to receive a second dose on 20 December 2021.

A letter was sent to NHS systems and vaccination services on 25 January 2022 with further information on COVID-19 vaccination for those who are immunocompromised. This advised how eligible people should be contacted, provided a letter template for the referral for a fourth dose and frequently asked questions regarding vaccination and immunosuppression.

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