Upon consultation, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends COVID-19 vaccination for specific groups; individuals aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and those over 6 months old who are immunosuppressed. The timing of this vaccination should be around 6 months after the last does, with flexibility allowed, but with a minimum interval of 3 months between doses.

Throughout the pandemic, older people have been among those most likely to experience severe disease from SARS-CoV-2. The risk remains particularly high for those aged 75 and above, with the greatest risk of those aged 85 and older. Different variants of the virus have been circulating, with the EG and XBB lineages dominant in August and September 2023.

An analysis of the number needed to vaccinate (bye age group, to prevent in hospitalisation, one intensive care unit admission and one)) indicates that vaccinating older age groups yields the greatest benefit. A cost-effectiveness assessment was conducted, factoring in deployment costs of £25 per vaccine (as estimated by NHS England), finding that the vaccination was likely to be cost effective when offered to those aged 90 and over, those 80 and over with clinical risk, and those aged 65 and over with immunosuppression.

Looking beyond spring 2024, as population immunity increases, COVID-19 is becoming a milder disease for most people, allowing for a more targeted vaccination approach. Seasonality of COVID-19 remains uncertain, with infections occurring year-round and winter posing the greatest threat, JCVI will continue to review vaccination timing and frequency.

Cost- effectiveness will play a crucial role in future vaccination advice. Current vaccine offers good protection against severe disease but will have limited efficacy in preventing transmission. This will influence future vaccination strategies, especially for groups like healthcare workers and household contact of immunosuppressed individuals.

Upon publication Health Minster, Maria Caulfield has commented:

“We have accepted the official advice form the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to offer a COVID spring vaccine to those most at risk of serious illness.

It is important the most vulnerable groups are offered a vaccine through the NHS programme to strengthen their immunity to protect themselves and reduce pressure on the NHS.”

Click here to read the full JCVI report – JCVI statement on COVID-19 vaccination in spring 2024 and considerations on future COVID-19 vaccination.