Vaccination Update
As at 22nd November, a total of 96,987,549 doses of a coronavirus vaccine had been administered in the UK, with 50,800,732 people receiving a first dose (88.3% of the population aged 12 and over) and 46,186,817 people receiving both doses (80.3%). A total of 15,639,477 people had received a booster jab (27.2%).
Booster Jabs
From Monday 22nd November, the vaccination programme has been extended, with those aged 40 to 49 now eligible for booster jabs. An appointment can be booked in advance – 5 months after the second dose – to be vaccinated as soon as people reach the 6-month mark. The National Booking Service is now open to those over 40 and appointments can be booked by calling 119 – or people can get their jab at hundreds of walk-in sites across the country 6 months after their second dose without an appointment. Those eligible can use the NHS online walk-in finder to locate the most convenient site.
Also from 22nd November, the National Booking Service was opened to young people aged 16 to 17 who are now able to receive their second jab.
For further information, the government’s press release can be seen here.
For the link to the NHS National Booking Service, please see here.
International Travel Update
On November 19th the government conducted a further review of the “red list” of countries under the new simplified system of international travel. Following this review, it continues to be the case that no countries and territories are currently on the red list but the list will be kept in place as a precautionary measure to protect public health, and countries and territories will be added if needed as the UK’s first line of defence if the situation changes.
Also from Monday 22 November, the travel rules for all under-18s coming to England from a non-red list country or territory will be treated as fully vaccinated at the border, regardless of their individual vaccination status. This means they will be exempt from self-isolation requirements on arrival and will only be required to take a lateral flow test post-arrival, with a free confirmatory PCR test if they test positive. More details can be found here.
NHS Covid Pass
The NHS COVID Pass enabling people to demonstrate their coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at events and venues in England has now been updated to include details of any booster vaccination. Information on how to obtain a Covid Pass can be found here.
Staying Safe & Preventing The Spread
The government has updated its Covid testing guidance in the run-up to Christmas, recommending that people in England who do not have Coronavirus symptoms take rapid lateral flow tests before going to high-risk settings, e.g., spending time in crowded areas such as busy shopping streets, or when visiting vulnerable people in enclosed spaces. Previously, it was recommended that people take lateral flow tests twice a week.
An easy-read version of the updated guidance on staying safe and helping to prevent the spread of Coronavirus can be found here.
The revised advice on lateral flow tests can be seen on pages 23-25.
Private Test Providers
For the latest government guidance and information about locating a COVID-19 private test provider to help you get a private test, please see here.
