The NHS is starting to offer COVID-19 booster vaccinations to help provide extra protection for those at greatest risk from the virus this winter.

In line with the recommendations of the JCVI, these will be offered to:

• people who live or work in a care home for older adults
• frontline health and social care workers
• people aged 50 years or over
• people aged 5 - 49 who are immunosuppressed
• people aged 5 - 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19
• pregnant women
• people aged 16 – 49 who are carers
• people aged 5 - 49 who live with someone who is immunosuppressed

If you are eligible for a booster, you will be contacted by the NHS when it is your turn, either by your GP practice or the NHS National Booking Service. Those at greatest risk will be invited first, with vaccinations for care home residents starting from 5 September and for those aged 75 and over or who are immunosuppressed from 12 September.

Please do not contact your GP practice for an appointment unless you have received an invitation, you will be contacted when it is your turn to have your booster.

If you are eligible for a booster, please help to keep yourself and those around you safe by getting vaccinated when you are invited. For more information about the autumn boosters and the COVID vaccination programme you can visit www.westyorkshire.icb.nhs.uk/covidvaccination

If you have not yet completed your vaccination course, you can still get whichever jab you need – book an appointment using the online National Booking Service or by calling 119. Calls are free of charge and lines are open 8am-8pm Monday – Friday and 8am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.