Government accepts advice on 2024 autumn COVID-19 vaccine programme.
The advice of the expert JCVI has been given to the government as vaccination offers the best protection for those at risk of serious outcomes through older age or clinical conditions.
Protection against serious disease wanes over time so it is important to top it up by getting an autumn dose if you are eligible.
The UK has one of the most extensive immunisation programmes in the world, with vaccine confidence and uptake rates among the highest globally.
The JCVI has not advised offering the vaccine to frontline health and social care workers, staff in care homes for older adults, unpaid carers and household contacts of people with immunosuppression as part of the national programme. The advice suggests health and social care service providers may wish to consider setting up an occupational health vaccination programme for frontline health and social care workers - as is the current situation for flu vaccines.
As setting up a new occupational health programme will not be possible before autumn this year, JCVI suggested health departments may choose to continue offering vaccination through the national programme this autumn.
The government has decided to continue to offer vaccination to frontline health and social care staff, as well as staff working in care homes for older people in the autumn 2024 programme.
I encourage anyone invited for a vaccine to get one as soon as possible to protect yourself and reduce pressure on the NHS during winter, helping to cut waiting times and get the health service back on its feet.
Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne
NHS England will confirm details on how and when eligible people can access the autumn vaccine when confirmed and more information will be shared with the public.
