Update on timeline for Spring 2023 COVID-19 boosters

[Debbie_kinsey]

We've updated our article on the COVID-19 vaccination programme with the dates for the Spring 2023 booster programme.

A summary of the timeline:

- People who are eligible will start receiving invitations to book soon (due to bank holidays you may not receive your letter until after the 11th April).

- Booking will open from 5th April

- Spring booster vaccinations will be given between 17th April and 30th June 2023 (except for in care homes which will start from 3rd April).

The other updates to note are that:

- the Sanofi vaccine (also called VidPrevtyn Beta) contains an oil derived from fish (other vaccines contain no animal products).

- 1st and 2nd doses for those who are not in an at-risk group will end on the 30th June, so people must have their 1st dose by the 5th May in order to book their second before the end of June.

You can read the full article here: lupusuk.org.uk/covid19-vacc...

Take care

Debbie

[cathie]

can I add that people in Scotland started to get appointments for the spring booster last week. Mine is for 13 April. So they’re on the way. Same criteria.

[Whippet_lady]

I'm in Scotland and saw somewhere that I should go online to book my appointment so that's what I've done, for 21st April.

[Debbie_kinsey Administrator LUPUS UK]

Thanks for the update, both. I'm glad letters are starting to arrive in Scotland.

[Smudge4465]

Morning Debbie, very helpful, informative news. Thank you. The whole team at Lupus Uk has changed dramatically in the last few years for very positive reasons. Moving forward which is great. Difficult as the moment with Yvonnes passing but please pass on my encouragement to the rest of the team. Well done 🦋

[BonnyB]

Hi Debbie, thank you. May I ask if the people who had had tthe emails/ letter recently saying we are at higher risk and to contact them for antivirals if positive are now included in the category? Surely it's best yo have the jabs to protect, rather than treat once positive.

Thank you

[Debbie_kinsey Administrator LUPUS UK in reply to BonnyB]

Hi BonnyB

As far as I'm aware the eligibility for the spring boosters hasn't changed. There will likely be a wider group of people eligible for the boosters in the autumn, but they haven't decided who will be getting those yet.

In a meeting I was in on Monday, the JCVI (who make recommendations to the government on things like vaccines) said the spring boosters were for the people for whom they were concerned the vaccines effectiveness may have waned, so they need an additional 'top-up' to maintain their immune response. They said this is also why household members of those eligible for the spring boosters are not being vaccinated as they aren't concerned the vaccines will have waned for those people. My assumption is therefore that they do not consider everyone who is eligible for the treatments to have the same level of waning response to the vaccines, so not everyone is getting one in the spring.

If you're concerned that you do fit the category of immunosuppressed & should be eligible for the spring booster, then I would talk to your doctor if you are not contacted to book a jab.

We'll hear what's happening with the autumn boosters nearer the time, and we'll update you on the website & post a link in this forum.

Hope this helps

Debbie