Grab a jab | COVID-19 vaccination

Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccinations in Lincolnshire

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that a COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to the following groups this autumn:

  • adults aged 65 years and over
  • residents in a care home for older adults
  • persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group (as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book)

The groups above will also be eligible for a flu vaccination.

Frontline NHS and social care workers will also be offered the COVID-19 vaccine this autumn.

The COVID-19 vaccine will not be offered to unpaid carers and household contacts of people with immunosuppression in England. JCVI advice has continued to adapt as COVID-19 has changed from a pandemic threat to becoming a common milder infection. This transition reflects the very high levels of immunity in the population against COVID-19. The available vaccines continue to provide good additional protection against becoming severely ill (being hospitalised or dying). Those aged below 65 years who are otherwise healthy are not at high risk of severe COVID-19.

COVID-19 and flu vaccinations will be available to eligible adults from 3 October 2024. Eligible people can now book an appointment for a vaccination (from 3 October onwards) online here Book, change, or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online – NHS (www.nhs.uk) or by calling 119

For more information, see advice on antiviral treatments below, as well as our Frequently Asked Questions, which we regularly review and update.

Treatments for Covid-19 for those eligible for antiviral treatment

Some people at highest risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 are eligible for antiviral treatments on the NHS and will have received a letter notifying them of this.  These patients include those with cancer, blood conditions, kidney disease, liver disease and autoimmune conditions, among others.  This also includes residents in care or other high-risk settings. Find out more below.

If you have become newly severely immunosuppressed, you should approach your hospital consultant who will be able to advise you on the best time to have the vaccination and make a referral to the appropriate service if a vaccination is required.

  • Treatments for Covid-19 for those eligible for antiviral treatment

    If a patient who is symptomatic and tests positive needs to access the Covid-19 Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU) for antiviral treatment, then this is via NHS 111.  When patients call NHS 111, there are two outcomes:

    1. Following a Pathways assessment, if there are no “other” symptoms, the patient is referred via the Clinical Assessment Service (CAS) directly to the CMDU by the 111 provider. The CMDU will call the patient back within 24 hours. End of process.
    2. Following a Pathways assessment, if the patients DOES have other symptoms (eg chest pain, breathing difficulty, other etc…) then the DOS will refer them to the appropriate service to be managed, as with any other caller to 111. This service could be 999, ED, SDEC, Primary Care, UTC or GP OOH.

    Patients or clinicians can make the call to NHS 111 and will need to advise on eligibility for anti-viral treatment.  The Lincolnshire Clinical Assessment Service (CAS) should then refer the patient on to the Covid-19 Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU) at Lincoln County Hospital rheumatology department. Please note that this process may be different to other areas.

    CMDUs are community hubs for administering neutralising monoclonal antibodies (nMABs) or antivirals to patients who are at high risk of complications from Covid-19.  Patients eligible for nMAB or antiviral treatment will be identified centrally and will have received a letter to inform them that if they get Covid-19 they should receive these treatments. GPs should not have to identify these patients.

    For more information, please refer to the NHS website Treatments for COVID-19 - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

    GP letter – update on COVID treatments for the highest risk individual

    COVID-19 treatment pathway – antivirals

  • Who can get a free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test?

    COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests are no longer free for most people.

    You may still be able to get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS if you have a health condition which means you're eligible for COVID-19 treatment

    • If you want to get tested but are not eligible for free rapid lateral flow tests, you need to pay for the test yourself. You can buy rapid lateral flow tests from some pharmacies and retailers, in person or online.

    For individuals who are eligible for free rapid flow tests, these are only available from participating local pharmacies that have agreed to sign up to the free Lateral Flow Device advance service.

    Use this service to find a pharmacy that offers free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests Find a pharmacy that offers free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

    If you’ve been sent a letter or email from the NHS about COVID-19 treatments, this should be shown to the pharmacy to help confirm your eligibility more easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccinations.

See FAQs