COVID Spring Vaccination

The aim of the COVID-19 immunisation programme is to prevent serious disease (hospitalisation and/or mortality) arising from COVID-19.

Over the last 4 years, population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity (this combination is termed ‘hybrid immunity’). COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since SARS-CoV-2 first emerged. Age has always been strongly associated with the risk of hospitalisation and mortality from COVID-19, with the oldest in the population being the most vulnerable.

As COVID-19 becomes an endemic disease, and with a move towards standard assessment of cost-effectiveness, the focus of the programme is shifting towards targeted vaccination of the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed. These are the 2 groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality.

The announced and authorised cohorts for the spring 2025 programme will cover:

• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged 18 and over who are immunosuppressed.

This includes those who will turn 75 years old by 17 June 2025. They will be eligible for a vaccination at any point in the campaign. Those who are new residents in an older adult care home or become immunosuppressed by 17 June 2025 are also eligible.

Church Lane Surgery will be holding a Spring Covid Vaccination Clinic on Wednesday 30th April. We will be sending self book invites via text between Tuesday 18th March – Friday 28th March , and you will receive two text messages

The first text message will inform you that you are eligible for the COVID Spring Booster

Example of 1st Text Message

We are holding a Spring Covid Vaccination clinic on Wednesday 30th April and you are eligible. We will be sending you a PATCHS self-booking invite tomorrow. Please click on the link in the PATCHS message to book your slot, if you are able. If you require to book by telephone please ring the surgery between 11am and 3pm. If you already have an appointment booked please ignore this message. If you are housebound and require a home visit you must call the surgery and let us know. If you do not want the Covid vaccine please reply DECLINE. Thank you, Church Lane Surgery

The second text message will be sent from PATCHS the following day with a self book link to allow you to book in our vaccination clinic.

Hi [Name] , please book an appointment at CHURCH LANE SURGERY for COVID VACCINATION: [link will appear here]

You will need to click the link and this will then search for available appointments and then allowing you to select Wednesday 30th April.

Click here to see an example of using self book text message.

If you are unable to attend our clinic on Wednesday 30th April you will be able to use the NHS Vaccination Booking Service using the following Link

National Booking Service

Please note the NHS national booking system will open for spring Covid-19 vaccination bookings from 1st April, with those eligible able to book appointments from the following week.