Our Cardiomyopathy UK Specialist Nurse, Jayne has answered some of the commonly asked questions regarding the autumn 2023 Covid booster.
Who will receive an Autumn 2023 Covid booster vaccination?
Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation advises the following groups be offered a Covid 19 booster vaccine in the autumn of 2023:
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group *
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Persons aged 12-64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- Persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults.
*Chronic heart disease and vascular disease: including people with a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy on medication and those with heart and circulatory conditions.
When will I receive my Autumn Booster vaccination?
The autumn booster is being offered from September 2023 with likely completion in December 2023. Boosters are being offered in a priority order so you will be invited by your GP to attend for your booster when it is your turn.
As long as you are registered with a GP in England you can also book your autumn booster here.
- Scotland information can be found here
- Northern Ireland information can be found here
- Wales information can be found here
Which vaccine will I be offered?
Further advice on the choice of vaccine will be released in due course.
Is the booster safe if I have a heart condition?
Yes the booster is safe for people with heart conditions such as cardiomyopathy. The booster you will get is one of the existing vaccines that has been approved for use in the UK, no vaccine is approved unless it is deemed safe for people with long term conditions.
Should I have the Covid booster if I have had myocarditis or pericarditis in the past?
Having myocarditis or pericarditis in the past does not necessarily mean that you would be at increased risk of myocarditis or pericarditis following Covid 19 vaccination. If you are unsure we advise you to ask your cardiologist / cardiac nurse or GP.
Do I need to have a booster if I have had Covid recently?
Yes it is important to have a Covd 19 booster if you have had Covid recently although you will need to wait between getting Covid and receiving your booster see here.
Can I receive my flu vaccination at the same time as my Covid booster vaccination?
The flu and mRNA Covid vaccines may be offered at the same appointment. It has been deemed safe to do so by the medicines regulator the MHRA however for logistical reasons you might be offered these at separate times, there does not need to be an interval between these.
Cardiomyopathy UK advise people diagnosed with cardiomyopathy to take the booster when and if offered.
This information is general advice only, if your cardiologist/cardiac nurse or GP has given you separate advice follow their instructions.
If you have any questions and would like to speak to someone, our specialist nurses are available to talk on our helpline at 0800 018 1024, Monday – Friday 08.30am-16.30pm.