Health board says you’ll be contacted “when it’s your turn” for a covid booster jab

Boosters of the coronavirus vaccine will be offered to the over 50s this winter following approval by medical advisors.

The health board in North Wales has said it has been planning for the COVID-19 booster programme for “some time, and will begin sending invitations to the eligible population in the coming days.

The JCVI recommends that the following individuals should be offered a third dose COVID-19 booster vaccine, if a minimum of six months have passed since their second dose:

• Those living in residential care homes for older adults
• All adults aged 50 years or over
• Frontline health and social care workers
• All those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 (as set out in the Green Book), and adult carers
• Adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals

The health board has also confirmed the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be the only jab offered.

This will be administered by both primary care teams and vaccination centres.

Gill Harris, Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery said: “In line with JCVI guidance, we will invite those eligible for a booster jab based on the same priority order as the first phase, provided at least six months have passed since their second dose.

“The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be offered, irrespective of which vaccine those eligible have previously received.

“Booster vaccines will be administered using a mix of primary care teams and vaccination centres.

“We ask those who are eligible to please be patient and remember that there is no need to contact us to book an appointment.

“You will be contacted directly when it is your turn.

“It will not be standard practice to give the Flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines at the same time, but there may be a small number of cases where timing and logistics allow us to do this.”

“As most younger adults will only receive their second COVID-19 vaccine dose in late summer, the benefits of booster vaccination in this group will be considered at a later time, by the JCVI, when more information is available.”