I  want to pay tribute to all those involved in our incredible Covid-19 vaccination rollout in East Devon, including frontline staff, volunteers, the armed forces and the public.

We owe them all a debt of gratitude. Many of them worked extra hours to get as many people jabbed as possible. Over 350,000 vaccinations have been given in the East Devon district to date.

The vaccine has saved countless lives, reduced pressure on the NHS, and has allowed us to live with the virus. 

But learning to live with the virus certainly doesn't mean we can simply forget about it especially as the regular colder months approach. That is why, as a precautionary measure, this year’s autumn flu and Covid-19 vaccine programmes have started earlier than planned. The NHS is now giving booster shots of Covid and flu vaccine to older people living in care homes in England. 

This follows the identification of a new Covid-19 variant, which was first announced in the UK on 18th August 2023, BA.2.86 - an Omicron spin-off.

While this variant is not currently classified as a variant of concern, advice from UK Health Security Agency suggests that speeding up the autumn vaccine programme will deliver greater protection, supporting those at greatest risk of severe illness and reducing the potential impact on the NHS. There is no change to health advice to the wider public.

For the Covid booster vaccine this autumn, those eligible include adults aged over 65, care home residents, clinically vulnerable persons, and frontline health & social care workers.

The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible for a Covid jab and/or a flu jab. Anecdotally, I’ve heard of a few people who have had Covid recently. Symptoms for most appear to be unpleasant but largely mild with a lingering cough.

Vaccination remains our best line of defence for the colder months ahead and the vaccine programme is being targeted at those most vulnerable to the virus, in line with expert JCVI advice.