South west Londoners most vulnerable to Covid-19 are being urged to book in for their spring jab as the local NHS launches its seasonal vaccination campaign.
With the NHS national booking system open, people eligible for this year’s spring Covid-19 vaccine include adults aged 75 and over, residents in care homes for older adults and people with a weakened immune system who are at a greater risk from severe illness.
Surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency on last year’s spring Covid-19 vaccination programme showed that those who received a vaccine were more than 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid-19 for up to two months after vaccination, compared to those who did not receive one.
The Covid-19 virus continues to circulate and can be highly dangerous as hospitals saw an average of more than 1,000 beds each day over winter taken up by Covid patients.
The vaccine provides vital protection against different strains of the Covid virus and helps reduce the risk of catching and spreading it, as well as the risk of serious illness or needing to go to hospital if you do catch it.
Getting jabbed is one of the simplest things that you can do to stay well as it greatly reduces your chances of the virus ruining your spring and summer months.”
Elaine Clancy, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS in south west London, said: “The NHS is contacting everyone who is eligible for the jab via text, email, NHS app messages or letters but you don’t need to wait for an invite to book – just visit the NHS website, use the NHS app or call 119 now to arrange your appointment.
“Getting jabbed is one of the simplest things that you can do to stay well as it greatly reduces your chances of the virus ruining your spring and summer months so please top up your immunity as soon as possible if you’re eligible.”
John Byrne, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS in south west London, said: “Previous immunity, either from having the virus or from a previous vaccination, can wane over time, so it is vital that those who are at higher risk top up their protection – with new evidence showing those who have received a Covid jab are 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus in the following two months.”
Appointments are available every day across the country, with most happening at pharmacies and GP practices, and they will continue to run until Tuesday 17 June.
South west London NHS teams have been working to make it as easy as possible for people to get jabbed close to home as well as organising visits to older adult care homes and eligible housebound patients. For those that receive all their care at home, a home visit should be arranged via their GP.
It is vital that those who are at higher risk top up their protection – with new evidence showing those who have received a Covid jab are 40% less likely to be admitted to hospital.”
Throughout the programme, our Spring Engagement Fund, which works with community leaders to help us connect with local people, will help to share health information about vaccinations in our areas of lowest uptake.
As well as booked appointments, there are thousands of walk-in appointments available every day, with a full list of local locations available on the NHS walk-in finder.
Anyone eligible who has not received any previous doses should still get vaccinated during this year’s spring offer to help protect against serious illness.
The NHS is also encouraging those aged 75 to 79 (including those who have turned 80 since 1 September 2024) and pregnant women from 28 weeks to get the RSV vaccine by booking an appointment with their GP practice.
Eligibility for a spring vaccination, as advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, include the following groups:
- adults aged 75 years and over, including those who will turn 75 years old by 17 June 2025.
- residents in a care home for older adults
- individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a; Tables 3 and 4
A summary of the health conditions, treatments and medications that can cause a weakened immune system is available on the NHS.UK website, and a full definition of immunosuppression can be found in Chapter 14a (table 3) of the Green Book.