Persons aged 16 to 64 years who are Carers (as defined by the green book) will be eligible for a COVID vaccination this year.

Cohort eligibility

The Government has this week accepted final Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice for a COVID-19 Autumn 2023 seasonal campaign. The groups to be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine are:

• Residents in a care home for older adults
• All adults aged 65 years and over
• Persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book, page 22 - COVID-19 Chapter (Green Book)
• Frontline health and social care workers
• Persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression
• Persons aged 16 to 64 years who are Carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults.

The JCVI also advises primary course vaccination for individuals in the above cohorts who have not had any previous doses should be offered. They should receive a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine during the campaign period.

Eligible cohorts for the flu programme remain unchanged from those set out in the National flu immunisation programme 2023 to 2024 letter. The age cohorts for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations have been aligned and will allow for co-administration.

All those who turn 65 years by 31 March 2024 are eligible for both vaccinations.