The Health Hub in Basingstoke’s Festival Place has begun delivering the autumn COVID boosters to those over 50 and those with weakened immune systems.
Those eligible are now able to book a vaccine appointment through the National Booking service.
People aged 65 years and older, residents in care homes for older people, those aged 5 years and over in a clinical risk group and health and social care staff are currently eligible to receive the autumn booster vaccination. People aged 50 to 65 will be invited later in the programme to get vaccinated.
Hampshire GP and Clinical Director at the Hampshire, and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, Dr Tim Cooper, said: “This winter it is expected that many respiratory infections, including COVID-19 and flu may be circulating at high levels – this may put increasing pressure on hospitals and other health care services.
“For these reasons, people aged 65 years and over, those in care homes, and those aged 5 years and over in clinical risk groups are encouraged to take up the offer of an autumn booster of COVID-19 vaccine.”
The new community-focused Health Hub, on Queen Anne’s Walk in Festival Place is open seven days a week, between 11am and 5pm. For more details, visit www.festivalplace.co.uk.
The NHS will contact people when it is their turn to book in for the vaccine – you do not need to contact the NHS.
The NHS will also being rolling out the flu vaccine and encouraging eligible people to take up the offer from the first of the month where possible.
Eligible individuals may be offered the flu and COVID jab at the same time subject to supply, with the doses approved to be co-administered.
You can find out more about the rollout of the vaccine programme in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight here.