Update on the COVID-19 vaccine booster rollout across the UK

Frontline healthcare workers throughout the UK, including optical staff working in primary eye care settings, are being offered the COVID-19 vaccine booster this autumn.

The nature and timing for the booster rollout varies across the four nations in the UK. A summary is available below.

Wales

The COVID-19 vaccine booster rollout has started. An autumn booster is available for limited groups including frontline health and social care workers, people aged 50 years old and over, as well as those aged five to 49 years in a clinical risk group or who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression. It has been confirmed that Health Boards will be sending out a vaccine appointment letter to all eligible individuals.

England

The COVID-19 vaccine booster rollout has started. The National Booking Service is open, and a ‘seasonal’ (autumn) booster can be booked online for limited groups including frontline health and social care workers, people aged 65 years old and over, those at higher risk or who are pregnant, and those who have or live with someone who has a weakened immune system.

Scotland

The COVID-19 vaccine booster rollout has started. The local NHS Board should have either already been in touch, or will be shortly, to provide information about how frontline health and social care workers can now book their COVID-19 and flu vaccines. 
 
Further guidance on booking an appointment, including what constitutes a frontline health and social care worker, is available on the NHS inform website.

Northern Ireland

It is understood that the COVID-19 vaccine booster rollout will start on 19 September, and will use GPs, pharmacists and Trusts. Pharmacies will be able to offer frontline optical teams the booster once the rollout starts.