COVID-19 spring booster 2024 update for Hywel Dda UHB residents

COVID-19 spring booster 2024 update for Hywel Dda UHB residents

Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) begins the delivery of the COVID-19 spring booster programme on 2 April, 2024.

Earlier this year, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that a COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to:

• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book)

The majority of GP practices and a number of community pharmacies across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire will deliver the COVID-19 spring booster, supported by the health board who will use vaccination centres in Llanelli, Neyland and Cwm Cou, and other community venues as needed.

The COVID-19 spring booster programme will run until 30 June, 2024 with some limited flexibility into July for those who are unable to receive a booster within the main programme window, due to illness.

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda UHB, said: “Thanks to an effective vaccination programme combined with naturally derived immunity in the population, COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for the vast majority of people.

“This ongoing increase in population immunity allows a more targeted programme aimed at those at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 disease.

“Throughout the pandemic, older people have been among those most likely to experience severe disease if infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with the highest risk being in those aged 85 years and over.

“Over the next three months, our programme will ensure the most vulnerable members of our community are offered a booster vaccine.

“I’d like to thank colleagues in primary care for supporting this important vaccination programme and all within the health board who continue to work to ensure this vaccine is accessible to our most vulnerable population.”

The COVID-19 spring booster programme will focus on those at highest risk first. Eligible people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire will be invited to have the COVID-19 spring booster around 6 months after their last dose but it may be given from 3 months following the last vaccine.

Anyone turning 75 years of age between April and June will be called for vaccination during the campaign.

People are asked to wait to be contacted with an appointment, but should anyone have any questions regarding the COVID-19 spring booster and how to access it, please contact Hywel Dda UHB’s communication hub on 0300 303 8322 or ask.hdd@wales.nhs.uk