Important information for patients with weakened immune systems regarding arrangements for third dose Covid vaccines

Third doses of the Covid vaccine for people with suppressed immune systems

People aged 12 and over and who had severely weakened immune systems at the time of their first or second doses of the Covid vaccine are eligible to receive a third dose. They may not have generated a full immune response to the first two doses and therefore may be less protected than the wider population.

Conditions which mean you might have had a suppressed immune system include:

• a blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
• a weakened immune system due to a treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
• an organ or bone marrow transplant
• a condition that means you have a very high risk of getting infections
• a condition or treatment your specialist advises makes you eligible for a 3rd dose

Please check the full list here to see if you are eligible.

Clinics for the third dose are being held at Loughborough Hospital and the Peepul Centre. You will be contacted to book you in for your vaccination; there is no need to contact the practice.

This third dose is part of the primary course of vaccinations. It is not the same as a booster dose, which is given later to extend the duration of protection after the primary course of vaccinations.

Vaccinations for children aged 12-15 who are at increased risk from Covid-19

Children who are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable to Covid-19, or who live with someone who is more likely to get infections, can now get their Covid vaccine.  Two doses of the vaccine will be given.

Your child can receive their vaccination at a dedicated clinic at either Loughborough Hospital or the Peepul Centre. You will be contacted to book your child in for their vaccination; there is no need to contact the practice.

Conditions that mean your child may be at high risk and can get vaccinated include:

• a severe problem with the brain or nerves, such as cerebral palsy
• Down’s syndrome
• severe or multiple learning disabilities (or they’re on the learning disability register)

• haematological malignancy
• sickle cell disease
• type 1 diabetes
• congenital heart disease
• a condition that means they’re more likely to get infections (such as some genetic conditions or types of cancer).

You can find a complete list of conditions here.

Children aged 12-15 who are not classed as clinically extremely vulnerable are not eligible to book onto these clinics. They will receive a single dose of the vaccine via other routes, for example at school.