“Considerable uncertainty” remains regarding future potential waves of COVID-19, the JCVI wrote in a statement released today (May 20).

Certain groups of people should get a COVID-19 booster jab to protect themselves during the winter, the group wrote in interim advice “for the purposes of operational planning for autumn 2022”.

The JCVI said the extra dose should be offered to:

• residents of care homes for older adults, and staff working in these settings
• frontline health and social care workers
• people aged 65 and over
• those aged 16 to 64 years in a clinical risk group.

“It is anticipated that the protection of the most vulnerable people in society will continue to be of primary importance,” the JCVI added.

The group will continue to consider whether other groups of people should be given a booster dose, it said.

NHSE&I asked to get ready

A Department of Health and Social Care (DH) spokesperson told C+D that it has asked NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) to “begin preparation” to deliver the vaccinations later this year.

Read more: GPhC urges pharmacy workers to get COVID jab even if not required to by law

C+D asked the DH whether it could confirm that community pharmacy team members will be eligible for the vaccine. The spokesperson said the DH had nothing further to add beyond the statement it had shared with C+D.

"We welcome the interim advice from the JCVI for an autumn COVID-19 booster programme and will consider their final recommendations later this year,” the spokesperson commented.

C+D has also approached NHSE&I to ask whether pharmacies will be asked to assist with the upcoming COVID-19 booster programme.