Older and more vulnerable residents are being urged by Cheshire East Council to take up the offer of a further Covid-19 booster vaccine - following a Government committee review.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), as part of its latest review of the UK vaccination programme, has recommended an additional spring booster dose for our most vulnerable individuals.

People aged 75 years and older, residents in care homes for older people, and those individuals aged 12 and over with weakened immune systems - will be offered a spring booster of Covid-19 vaccine.

These groups of people are at higher risk of developing severe Covid-19. Protection from the vaccine may be lower and may decline more quickly in these people.

If the number of infections increases over the summer, this booster should help to reduce their risk of developing serious illness and being admitted to hospital with Covid-19.

Professor Rod Thomson, public health consultant at Cheshire East Council, stated: "The pandemic isn't over and with Covid-19 case numbers still high across all age groups - it is really important that those eligible for this booster come forward as soon as they are invited.

"We know the vaccine is safe, effective and provides the best protection against serious illness from Covid-19."

Those eligible for the spring booster will be contacted by the NHS when it is their turn to receive the vaccine.

Once invited, they will be able to book their appointment online via NHS or by calling 119.

Anyone in these groups will only be able to book an appointment for six months from the date of their last vaccination.

For details of local walk-in Covid-19 vaccination clinics, offering first, second and booster jabs, please visit the NHS website here. Residents can also book an appointment via the NHS website or by calling 119.

A vaccine programme has also started for healthy 5 to 11-year-old children. Parents will receive information offering them the chance to make an appointment for their child to be vaccinated.

These appointments will be available from April over the Easter holidays and further slots will become available later.

For all the latest information on Covid-19 testing, vaccinations, support, and guidance, please go to the council's web pages here.

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