07 Mar 2023
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has confirmed its advice for a 2023 spring COVID-19 booster programme.
In January 2023, the committee advised preparations should begin for potential booster programmes in spring and autumn this year, with further details to be announced at a later date.
The committee has since advised that a spring booster dose should be offered to:
Eligible individuals will be offered the vaccine around six months after their previous dose. NHS England will confirm operational details for the programme in due course.
The JCVI has advised the following vaccines may be used in the 2023 spring programme:
The vaccine offered will depend on a person’s age and local supply considerations. Children under 12 years of age will be offered a children’s formulation of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chair of the JCVI’s COVID-19 Committee, said: “Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 and the spring booster programme provides an opportunity for those who are at highest risk of severe illness to keep their immunity topped up.
“This year’s spring programme will bridge the gap to the planned booster programme in the autumn, enabling those who are most vulnerable to be well protected throughout the summer.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “COVID-19 is still circulating widely, and we have recently seen increases in older people being hospitalised.
“It is important those at highest risk of severe illness do not become complacent and I would encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward once the booster programme starts.”
ENDS.
Chris Hewett
UK Health Security Agency
chris.hewett@ukhsa.gov.uk
Notes to editors: