Over 75s in Suffolk and north Essex should be getting another Covid booster injection over the next few weeks - but health chiefs are urging them to be patient.

The government has announced that a new spring booster will be rolled out but people are urged not to contact their GP practice and to wait for further announcements on when they will be available.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has indicated that spring booster vaccinations should become available from April 17, and that visits to care homes should commence from April 3.

The Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), which is overseeing the local vaccination programme, has also indicated that it plans to offer a mixture of a walk-in clinic and booked appointments.

The spring booster will be offered to everyone aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults and people aged five years and over who are immuno-suppressed.

There is a dedicated local Covid vaccination website which will have all the information people need to access a spring booster, including eligibility requirements and walk-in clinic locations, when the information becomes available.

Vulnerable people have continued to be offered boosters to ensure they are as safe as possible. 

Liz Moloney, who is leading the vaccination programme for the ICB, said: “We know that many eligible people will be very keen to have their spring booster, and it’s fantastic that the benefits of Covid vaccination are recognised by so many, but we ask people to be patient.

“GP practices and community pharmacies are already extremely busy, so please don’t call them for a spring booster as they won’t yet be able to help you.

“As soon as everything is in place, we’ll make getting a spring booster as easy as possible.”

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