Grab your COVID-19 booster jab

Posted on: Thursday, November 11, 2021

A coronavirus booster vaccine dose helps improve the protection you have from your first two doses of the vaccine and will give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19. Eligible residents are now being invited to receive their COVID-19 booster vaccine.

Now available on the NHS, the booster vaccine is being offered to those most at risk from COVID-19 and those who had their second dose six months ago. Those currently eligible for their booster jab include:

  • People aged 50 and over
  • People who live and work in care homes
  • Frontline health and social care workers
  • People aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
  • Carers aged 16 and over
  • People aged 16 and over who live with someone more likely to get infections, such as those who have HIV, had a transplant, are receiving certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

If you are eligible, you will be contacted by the NHS, either via letter or text, with an invitation to book a booster vaccine. The invite will explain how to book an appointment, including whether you can book an appointment at your local GP surgery, local community pharmacy, or a vaccination centre. If you haven't received an invitation yet, but are eligible to receive the booster jab, you can book an appointment through the NHS website or by calling 119.

Residents can also receive their booster jab via a walk-in site without an appointment. You can check where your nearest walk-in centre is by checking the 'Grab-a-jab' website. If you have a condition that means you're a higher risk, you will need to bring your invitation letter, or a letter from your GP or Consultant about your health condition, to any walk-in vaccination site. In addition, frontline health and social care workers 16 and over must bring proof of their employment such as workplace photo ID, a letter or a payslip from their employers within the last three months. 

Housebound residents, who received their first or second dose via the roving service, will receive their booster vaccine from a GP doing their home visit or the roving team. If you need to arrange a housebound visit or are concerned you have been missed off the list, please contact your GP.

Those who are immunosuppressed can receive their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This third dose ensures that those who are immunosuppressed receive the same protection given by two doses. Letters are being sent to those who are eligible. They will need to take this with them to any vaccination site. If you believe you qualify for a third dose but haven't received a letter yet, please contact your GP or hospital to discuss. Those who are immunosuppressed will also need to receive a booster dose six months from the date of their third dose.

Residents can also receive their first and second doses of a COVID-19 vaccine if they haven't already done so. You can book an appointment through the NHS website. Alternatively, residents can walk into one of the three walk-in sites in Nottinghamshire: Forest Recreation Ground Vaccination Site, Mansfield Vaccination Centre and King's Mill Hospital Hub.