People living in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire who are most at risk of falling seriously ill from Covid-19 are being urged to book an appointment to receive their spring booster vaccine.
All adults aged 75 and over, as well as those over the age of six months and living with a weakened immune system, are eligible for the free vaccination.
Older adults living in care homes will also be offered the vaccine within their place of residence.
Having the booster vaccine is seen as the most effective form of protection for people who are more susceptible to the effects of Covid-19, especially as immunity from previous vaccinations fades over time.
Vaccination appointments are now open for booking, and can be arranged either over the phone by calling 119 or online at www.nhs.uk/bookcovid.
Gill May, Chief Nursing Officer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Covid-19 is a particularly nasty virus, and has the potential to make some of the most vulnerable people in our communities very poorly.
“The effects of the virus, which is just as prevalent during the spring and summer as it is in the colder months, can often be life-threatening for those who are older or already living with a long-term health condition.
“Although the height of the pandemic may seem like a distant memory for many, hospitals in our region still find their wards occupied by people who have fallen seriously ill with Covid-19 and need urgent intervention.
“Getting vaccinated is an added layer of protection against Covid-19, and ensures that eligible people whose immunity may have dropped can approach the summer months with a renewed confidence regarding their protection against the virus.”
Invitations to book a booster vaccine are in the process of being sent – either in the form of a text message or letter in the post – to all who are eligible.
However, people need not wait until they are contacted by the NHS before booking their appointment, with thousands of slots now available at GP practices, pharmacies and other community locations.
Some vaccinations are also being carried out at designated walk-in clinics, for which a pre-booked appointment is not required.
Details of where and when these clinics are taking place can be found on the national NHS website at www.nhs.uk/covid-walk-in.
During the most recent Covid-19 booster drive, which took place between October 2024 and February 2025, more than 9.8 million vaccinations were administered across the country, including approximately 218,000 across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.
This total put the local region among some of the highest performing health and care systems in the country for overall vaccine uptake.
More information on Covid-19, including further details around the eligibility criteria for the booster vaccine, can be found at www.bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth/seasonal-covid-19.
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