Eligible people living in the Black Country will soon be invited to come forward for a COVID-19 autumn booster jab.

The next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is set to start from 5 September, with care home residents first in line to receive an autumn booster dose.

Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the offer will then be opened up to the remaining eligible groups from 12 September, including"

• Older adult care home residents and staff
• Frontline health and social care workers • People aged 50 and over
• Unpaid carers aged 16 to 49
• People aged 5 to 49 in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women
• Household contacts of people with weakened immune systems aged 5 to 49

Once invited, eligible people will be able to book an appointment online via the National Booking System or by calling 119, as long as it has been three months since their last dose. Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said:

“The NHS has now set out plans for the next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme - the largest and fastest vaccine drive in health service history.

“COVID-19 hasn’t gone away so it’s fantastic that we will soon be offering autumn boosters for the most vulnerable people in our communities which will help increase their immunity as we approach winter.

“Everyone eligible for a booster dose will be contacted by the NHS when it is their turn, and I would urge anyone who is invited to book their appointment as soon as they can.”

The autumn booster programme will run alongside the annual flu programme, and where possible those eligible will be offered the booster and flu vaccine together. Sally added:

“The vaccines are there to give protection to those most vulnerable and prevent them from getting seriously ill from these viruses, and I would encourage anyone who receives an invite for either vaccine to please get booked in as soon as possible.”

For more information on the flu vaccine, visit the NHS website.