Torbay’s spring vaccination programme set to start

A new Covid-19 booster vaccination programme for those most at risk of serious illness from the virus will launch in Torbay this spring.

Torbay General Practice (TGP) will be running booster clinics on selected days – yet to be announced – at the Riviera International Centre in Torquay.

Patients who fulfil the criteria will be able to book their appointment on the national booking system, which goes ‘live’ Monday, April 15, or by calling 119. Please don’t contact your GP practice to arrange your vaccine.

Following guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the spring booster is available to:

• Adults aged 75 years and over

• Residents in a care home for older adults

• People aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed – this includes people having treatment for conditions such as cancer or those with long-term chronic conditions.

Professor Wei Shen Lim, Covid-19 immunisation chair for the JCVI, said: “The Covid-19 spring programme will continue to focus on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill, who will benefit the most from a further vaccine dose.

“It is important that everyone who is eligible takes up the offer this spring. Current vaccines provide good protection against severe disease, hospitalisation and can protect those most vulnerable from death.”

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) echoed the JCVI’s advice. Their director of public health programmes, Dr Mary Ramsay, urged everyone who is eligible to take up the offer of a vaccine “as soon as possible”.

“Our on-going surveillance shows that Covid-19 continues to cause severe illness, particularly in older age groups and those who are immunosuppressed,” added Dr Ramsay.

“[It] also clearly shows that spring and autumn vaccines are effective in helping to protect those most at risk – halving the likelihood of hospitalisation from the virus.”