Autumn 2023 Covid-19 Vaccinations

Update – Autumn vaccination programme brought forward 

This autumn’s flu and COVID-19 vaccine programmes will start earlier than planned as a precautionary measure following the identification of a new COVID-19 variant.

While the new variant is not currently classified as a variant of concern, advice from the UKHSA suggests that speeding up the autumn vaccine programme will deliver greater protection.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations for residents and staff working in care homes and other front-line social care staff, will now begin on Monday 11th September. 

Please see below to read your appropriate letter for further details.

Click here to see the vaccination letter for all care providers from Chris Badger
Click here for the HCC letter to care home providers
Click here for the HCC letter to Supported Living providers
Click here for the HCC letter to domiciliary providers
Click here for the DHSC official letter

Eligible groups

The UK COVID-19 vaccination programme is entering its third autumn season in 2023. There are changes to the guidance as to who receives the vaccination.

The following groups should be offered a COVID-19 vaccine:

• 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 defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green book
• frontline health and social care workers
• 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

Here is the most recent news from JCVI: Click here
Here is the most up to date Govt guidance across Covid vaccinations: Click here

We appreciate that you may have questions about who is be included in this vaccination round.
If you want help to understand this, please contact your Provider Support Hub: 01707 708 108 / assistance@hcpa.co.uk

Consent

Consent will be required from individuals prior to being given the vaccine.

» Care Home residents: forms and letters – (For those able to consent, Attorney of a Care Home Resident and for relatives view on consent)
» Social Care Staff: form and letter for all staff
» Adults who are able to consent form and letter
» Hertfordshire County Council’s Mental Capacity Act guidance

Please note that the COVID-19 Vaccination Relative view form for Care Home residents gives relatives the opportunity to record their views on whether a COVID vaccine would be in the best interests of the person concerned. It is not a consent form as without an activated Lasting Power of Attorney (Health and Welfare) in place, families cannot give such consent, but it does allow relatives to express a view that might be helpful to the clinician who will make the best interests decision.

Mental capacity is time specific, and the vaccine story is changing so rapidly now that the information that needs to be understood may change. Care Homes can begin to prepare people to make this decision as soon as possible, by encouraging conversations and helping people to think through what they might decide.

Consent for more than one vaccine may be given and recorded on one page, but it must be clear what vaccines the person has consented to having.

Useful resources