NHS vaccinates half of care home residents in three weeks

The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme has vaccinated more than 150,000 older adult care home residents in England in three weeks since the campaign began – over half of all those eligible.

Roving teams of NHS staff have visited more than 6,000 care homes – almost three in five – to offer the spring jabs since the campaign launched on 3rd April with the targeted visits.

As of 25th April, 153,460 care home residents have taken up the offer – 50.2% of those eligible.

NHS teams will continue to visit the remaining older adult care homes in the coming weeks to offer protection to all residents.

The NHS has administered more than one million spring vaccinations in total just over a week since the offer was first made available outside of care homes.

Around 6.6m people in total are eligible in line with official guidance, which includes people 75 and over, those aged five and over with a weakened immune system, and care home residents.

Everyone eligible is able to get vaccinated by booking an appointment online or through the NHS app at one of thousands of local sites, including community pharmacies and GP practices.

Steve Russell, NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening, said: ‘Our fantastic NHS staff continue to deliver covid vaccines with speed and precision, prioritising those who are most vulnerable from covid once again and vaccinating more than 150,000 care home residents.

‘I am really pleased to say that just three weeks into the campaign, we have visited more than half of older adult care homes, vaccinating more than half of all eligible residents, and I would encourage anyone due a spring dose to book an appointment at the earliest opportunity and join the more than one million giving themselves maximum protection for the months ahead.’

Health Minister Helen Whately said: ‘NHS vaccination teams are doing an incredible job, already giving the majority of care home residents the protection they need from covid through the spring booster programme.’

This latest vaccination is being offered to those considered most at risk, following advice from the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose.

Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine but does not get invited can check online. Alternatively, they can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site.

The last spring vaccination appointments will be offered on 30th June.

Covid-19 vaccinations for everyone who was aged 5 on or before 31 August 2022 will also end after that date, following recent advice from the JCVI. After 30th June, the NHS offer will become more targeted to those at increased risk, usually during seasonal campaigns.

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