Autumn 2022 covid-19 booster programme

On 15 July, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced a targeted covid-19 vaccination programme to take place in autumn this year.

Principally, the DHSC are seeking to optimise protection for those most at risk of severe illness ahead of the winter, including some housing association staff. Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunity, the groups to be offered a booster covid-19 vaccination are:

• All adults aged 50 and over.
• Frontline health and social care workers.
• Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults.
• Those aged five to 49 years in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women.
• Those aged five to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression.
• Those aged 16 to 49 years who are carers.

Of particular interest to housing associations will be the offer to those working in care homes, as well as frontline health and social care workers. Indications from the DHSC so far suggest that this will be inclusive of frontline staff in supported housing. It is worth highlighting that as of the 15 March 2022, the government has revoked the legal requirement for health and social care staff to be vaccinated.

The NHS are expected to announce details of how this programme will be rolled out in due course and we will ensure we keep our website up to date as and when more information is available.