Changes to the Vaccination and Immunisation Programme 2023/2024
Aug 22, 2023
The DHSC has made changes to the Vaccination and Immunisation programme for 2023/2024. Following the latest guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI); the DHSC has announced cohort details for the COVID-19 Autumn Booster Programme and has amended the national flu immunisation programme - information below. Speculation in the media today also reveals that the government is planning to allow COVID booster jabs to be sold to the UK public through pharmacies and private clinics.
COVID-19 Autumn Booster Programme
The advice for this coming autumn is to offer the vaccine to those at high risk of serious disease and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination. Specifically, the government will be – on JCVI advice – offering the following groups a COVID-19 booster vaccine this coming autumn:
- frontline health and social care workers.
- residents in a care home for older adults.
- all adults aged 65 years and over.
- persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book, COVID-19 chapter (Green Book)
- persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression.
- persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults.
See here for more detailed JCVI guidance.
National flu immunisation programme 2023 to 2024 letter
The national flu immunisation programme letter sets out guidance for the 2023 to 2024 season, including the cohorts and next steps for regions and providers to take. Further guidance will follow on how the flu programme should be aligned to any autumn COVID-19 vaccination programme. The below groups will be eligible for a flu vaccine from 1 September 2023:
- frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants
- those in long-stay residential care homes (Includes other long-stay care facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow introduction of infection and cause high morbidity and mortality (this does not include, for example, prisons, young offender institutions, university halls of residence)
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, chapter 19 (Influenza))
- pregnant women
- all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
- primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
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Are you worried you’re not up to date with the latest employment law changes? Are you struggling to find the time to keep up with what’s changed and how it will affect your business? Well by joining our Partner Citation’s upcoming webinar ‘ Employment law changes- the new rules for employers’ on the 20 June at 11-12 pm you’ll get an exclusive overview of everything that’s changed so far this year and what’s still yet to come. What’s included: What’s already in force and what’s coming up later in the year Your employees new rights and new obligations for you as an employer What you need to do today to get prepared Register now: https://tinyurl.com/muhc7kw3 If you’d like to chat about how Citation can help with the HR and Health & Safety side of your business, just fill in their call-back form , and they'll get right back to you. Remember to quote ‘West Midlands Care Association’ when enquiring to access preferential rates .
Equality, diversity and inclusion are essential to a business especially right now with the pressures from the government. Understanding your responsibilities as an employer and putting measures in place to meet them can be hard but necessary. Our Partner Citation is here to help, download Citation’s FREE guide ‘ Improving equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace ’ to grasp the secret to improving EDI in your workplace. What’s included? What is equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace? Why is it so important – especially right now? How can you proactively improve EDI in the workplace? Download now: https://tinyurl.com/27s7hsck If you’d like to chat about how Citation can help with the HR and Health & Safety side of your business, just fill in their call-back form , and they'll get right back to you. Remember to quote ‘West Midlands Care Association’ when enquiring to access preferential rates .
Our upcoming Summer CPD Conference on the 4th July will be focusing on the theme of CQC Quality Statement- 'Is your Care Service Caring?
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Specialist lawyers Ridouts have joined top 60 UK law firm HCR Law’s healthcare team . The Ridouts team act for care homes, GP practices, children’s homes, dental practices, domiciliary and home care agencies, supported and independent living services and both private and NHS hospitals. Their services include advice on safeguarding, commissioning contracts, handling regulator prosecutions, and more. Nationally renowned for their regulatory expertise, Paul Ridout and his team will complement HCR’s successful national healthcare operation. HCR has a strong reputation for advising a wide range of clients in the healthcare sector including providers of adult social care and children’s services, and healthcare professionals including dentists. Find out more here .
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support. This year it takes place from 10th-14th June 2024 The campaign is brought to life by thousands of individuals and organisations who come together to provide support for carers, run activities, highlight the vital role carers play in our communities and draw attention to just how important caring is. This year the theme is 'Putting Carers on the Map' highlighting the invaluable contributions of carers across the UK and ensuring their voices are heard loud and clear. Together it is hoped to increase the visibility of the carers among politicians, employers and throughout communities. And by raising awareness it is hoped that they will better recognise the challenges unpaid carers face and help them access the support they deserve. Who is a Carer? A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction, or who needs extra help as they grow older. It isn’t someone who volunteers or is employed to provide support. You can find out more about Carers Week, as well as download details about Events and Activity Resources on the Carers Week website.
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