Online bookings are now possible for a third Covid jab to be administered to tens of thousands of Brits living with serious health issues.
About 400,000 immunosuppressed patients are eligible to receive slots for the next dose, which is different than a booster.
1
This is because immunosuppressed people have not been able generate sufficient antibody numbers to fight Covid.
According to JCVI guidance patients who are severely immunosuppressed due to treatment for conditions like cancer or those with chronic long-term conditions where their immunity has been affected by medication are eligible for a second dose eight weeks following their first dose.
Three quarters of the severely immunosuppressed have had a third Covid shot.
Adults who are eligible for a third dose of the drug and have been referred by their doctor may book an appointment online.
The NHS Covid-19 vaccine booking service will provide an option. ‘book my 3rddose appointment’.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “NHS staff continue to deliver first, second and third doses, to those who are eligible, alongside administering around 14 million boosters in just over nine weeks.
“Decisions on when to get a third dose remains between a patient and their clinician who knows about their ongoing treatment – more than three quarters of people who are severely immunosuppressed have had their third dose so far, and from today people can also book in online with a letter from their GP or clinician.
“It’s incredibly important that people get the full recommended course of Covid vaccines, especially those most at risk from the virus – boosters and third doses are not a nice to have, they are the best way to protect you and your loved ones this winter.”
Patients and their doctors decide when they should get a third shot for severely immunosuppressed patients. Most third doses are administered by hospital consultants or GPs.
The JCVI guidance states that the third dose should be administered to severe immunosuppression patients at least eight weeks following the first dose.
Myeloma UK, a charity that advocates for patients, has warned them that they could miss out on crucial vaccines due to the confusion between the jabs.
Many patients are frustrated by the confusion – some of their vaccination statuses don’t show up in their NHS app.
Some others claim their third dose was mixed with a booster.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said that a third dose should be given to those who were in this class at the time they received their first or second dose.
They explained that these people might not be able to respond fully to vaccinations and are therefore less protected than the general population.
“This offer is separate to any potential booster programme.”
We pay for stories!
Are you a Central Recorder reporter?