New variant-tackling COVID-19 boosters are being rolled out in Cornwall ahead of a challenging winter, the NHS has announced.

Those over the age of 75, care home residents and housebound individuals, people who are immunosuppressed and frontline health and social care workers are now eligible for the autumn COVID-19 booster in Cornwall.

The booster programme will use updated COVID vaccines which should provide better protection against the Omicron variant of Coronavirus. Those aged 50-74 and specific at-risk groups will become eligible over the coming weeks.

Chief Pharmacist at Royal Cornwall NHS Hospitals Trust Iain Davidson said: “The people of Cornwall have responded fantastically to come forward for their vaccination during this pandemic and we are asking them once again to come forward to give themselves the best protection ahead of winter. This will help to protect themselves, their loved ones and the NHS.”

As with previous campaigns, the oldest and most vulnerable will be called forward first. People will either be contacted by their GP to arrange an appointment, or they can book online via the National Booking Service or by calling 119 from today, Wednesday 7 September, for appointments starting on 12 September. The public are reminded that it must have been more than three months since their last dose to be able to receive a booster vaccination.

Vaccination clinics across Cornwall, running out of GP practices, pharmacies and vaccination centres, are ready to welcome people over the age of 75, the immunosuppressed and frontline health and social care staff for booked appointments from 12 September. Bookings can be made online using the National Booking Service or by calling 119.

Care home residents and housebound individuals will be visited in their home and this will be co-ordinated by their GP practice.

In line with JCVI guidance, the booster programme will expand in the coming weeks to include around 26 million people across England, including:

• adults aged 50 and over

• people over the age of 5 with a weakened immune system or health conditions that put them at higher risk (including pregnant women)

• household contacts of people with weakened immune systems

• frontline health and social care workers

• carers aged 16 and over

NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard said: “The precision and speed of the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme allowed us to get back to a pre-pandemic way of life and doing the things that we love.

“While we know that this winter will be challenging with a likely resurgence in both COVID and flu for the first time since before the pandemic, the best way to protect yourselves and your loved ones from serious illness is to get the newly approved, next generation COVID vaccine when invited to do so, as well as your annual flu jab, to ensure you have maximum protection.”

Some eligible individuals may be offered the flu and COVID jabs at the same time, with the doses approved to be safely co-administered. If you are offered both vaccines the NHS encourages you to take up this offer.

If you are eligible for both jabs but have not been offered co-administration, people are encouraged to seek out the other jab as getting vaccinated against both flu and COVID-19.

The NHS will let other eligible groups know when it is their turn to come forward for their COVID-19 vaccine.