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Vulnerable people in Swindon and Wiltshire are being urged to get their Covid-19 booster vaccine. The call is aimed at those most at risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus. This includes all adults aged 75 and over, and those over six months old with weakened immune systems.
Older adults living in care homes will also be offered the vaccine. Read more: Old Town café set to reopen after being closed for months The booster is considered the most effective form of protection for those more susceptible to the effects of Covid-19, especially as immunity from previous vaccinations fades over time. Gill May, chief nursing officer at 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." She added: "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.
" Vaccination appointments can be booked over the phone by calling 119 or online at www.nhs.uk/bookcovid.
Invitations to book a booster vaccine are being sent out to all who are eligible, either by text message or letter. However, people do not need to 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. Read more: Police chief on why pub incident led to officer's dismissal 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.
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