Everything you need to know about the COVID-19 Spring booster

21 March 2022

From today, Spring booster vaccinations are being offered to people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) who are at greatest risk from COVID-19 infection.

In the latest phase of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, a second booster (fourth vaccination) will be offered to everyone aged 75 and over, people who live in care homes for older people, and people aged 12 and over with a weakened immune system. This includes people with underlying health conditions such as chronic leukaemia or lymphoma, and those who have had immunosuppressive treatment following an organ transplant or have had radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

More about the definition of ‘Immunosupessed’ can be found in Table 3 of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation Green Book.

Many people in these groups had their first booster 6 months ago and this additional Spring booster will help protect them from COVID-19 over the summer months, reducing their chances of needing hospital treatment if they do catch the virus.

The best time to have the Spring booster is 6 months after the previous booster and the NHS will invite people to be vaccinated.

At present, COVID-19 is very active in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire and infection levels are high, . We want to make sure that everyone who is at greatest risk from COVID infection can have the Spring booster vaccination as soon as possible.

Dr Geeta Iyer, Clinical Director for the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme in BNSSG said:

“Vaccination works, and I’d like to encourage everyone who is eligible for a booster this Spring to take up the invitation when they receive it offer to help protect them over the coming months.

“I’d also like to remind everyone that it’s not too late to come forward for your first, second or first booster doses. Information about all the ways you can have your COVID vaccinations in our area can be found at www.grabajab.net.”

The NHS will contact people who are eligible for a Spring booster to invite them to book an appointment using the online National Booking Service or by calling 119. GPs will also invite their patients for vaccination, or they can attend a walk-in clinic in our area. People who are housebound and managers of care homes for older people will be contacted to arrange a visit.

Please visit www.grabajab.net for information about all vaccination options in our area, including a list of walk-in clinics.

If you have had COVID-19 you should wait 4 weeks before having your Spring booster. You should not attend a vaccine appointment if you are self-isolating or waiting for a COVID-19 test.

More information on booster vaccinations is available on the NHS website and an information leaflet on the Spring booster vaccination is available to download from the gov.uk website.