As we approach the autumn of 2023, the NHS is gearing up for another round of COVID-19 vaccinations, but this time, there are some significant changes to the Covid-19 autumn vaccination programme that you should be aware of. In response to the evolving situation with new variants of the virus, the autumn vaccination programme has been adjusted and accelerated. In this blog post, we’ll summarise all the essential updates so you can stay informed and make the right choices for your patients.
Covid-19 autumn vaccination programme – An Early Start: The Impact of Variant Pirola
The NHS initially planned to start the autumn COVID-19 vaccination programme in October 2023. However, due to the concerning spread of a new variant known as Pirola, this start date was brought forward to September 11, 2023. Pirola is a variant of the BA.2.86 lineage of COVID-19, and its rapid spread has raised alarm bells within the medical community.
The goal of this accelerated vaccination campaign is to maximise and extend protection during the winter months, particularly in December 2023 and early January 2024 when the risk of COVID-19 transmission is expected to be at its highest.
Eligible Groups for COVID-19 Vaccination in Autumn 2023
To ensure the most vulnerable populations receive protection, the following groups will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in the autumn of 2023:
- Residents in care homes for older adults.
- All adults aged 65 years and over.
- Individuals aged 6 months to 64 years in clinical risk groups.
- Frontline health and social care workers.
- Persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression.
- Persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults.
Notably, one significant change from previous autumn booster campaigns is the exclusion of those aged 50-64 from eligible risk groups. This adjustment aims to prioritise those most at risk of severe illness or complications from COVID-19.
New Vaccines and Their Availability
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has been closely monitoring the situation in order to publish the Covid-19 autumn vaccination programme, and promising data on updated vaccines to combat the Omicron XBB variants has emerged. These vaccines are designed to be more effective against the currently circulating variants.
However, the new XBB vaccines are not yet available so, given the uncertainty surrounding the growth of the BA.2.86 variant and its potential impact, health authorities have decided to move forward with the COVID-19 vaccines that are already licensed and in stock. This decision aims to enhance protection quickly rather than delaying the campaign until newer vaccines become available.
Update 20 Sept 2023:
XBB vaccine information available for 5-17 year old children. New lesson included in Covid-19 online course below
Update 27 Sept 2023:
Adult PGD updated to include Pfizer BioNTech XBB.1.5 vaccine information.
Update 04 Oct 2023:
Adult PGD updated to include Moderna Spikevax XBB.1.5 vaccine information.
Patient Group Directions (PGDs)
Patient Group Directions (PGDs) are available for adults and are expected to become available for those under 18 years very soon. PGDs provide healthcare professionals with guidance on administering vaccines safely and effectively.
Update 20 Sept 2023:
The PGD for 5-17 year old children has been published. Summary included in Covid-19 online course below
Update 27 Sept 2023:
Adult PGD updated to include Pfizer BioNTech XBB.1.5 vaccine information.
Update 04 Oct 2023:
Adult PGD updated to include Moderna Spikevax XBB.1.5 vaccine information.
Stay Informed with COVID-19 E-Learning
Understanding these changes can be complex, and it’s crucial to stay updated as new information becomes available. This post is only a summary of changes. For a comprehensive guide to the programme and real-time updates as PGDs are published or other changes occur, consider taking advantage of the Health Academy COVID-19 e-learning course. This course will provide you with all the information you need to navigate the COVID-19 autumn vaccination programme 2023 successfully.
Covid-19 vaccine training
This COVID-19 vaccine training course covers all of the relevant information about Covid-19 disease and the current Covid-19 vaccine products.
