Health and care workforce vaccinations

The COVID-19 vaccination national booking system is now open for frontline health and social care staff to book a booster vaccine appointment through self-referral. 

Who is eligible?

Although you can pre-book a booster dose from 2 months (61 days) after your 2nd dose, the appointment dates you’ll be offered will be from 3 months (91 days) after your 2nd dose.

The booster is only available to those staff who are in a frontline role and are in direct contact with those who need social care support. This is in accordance with the government’s ‘Green Book’. 

Who is an eligible frontline social care or health care worker in England?

Eligible frontline health care workers

• This means you have direct contact with people at higher risk from coronavirus (COVID-19).

For example:

• you work in a clinical role (such as a doctor, nurse, allied health professional or health care support worker);
• you have contact with patients in a non-clinical role (such as a receptionist or porter);
• you work in a hospital laboratory, mortuary, or a funeral home.

Frontline Social Care Workers 

This means you currently work in a care home for older or working age adults or you provide face-to-face care or support to individuals at higher risk from COVID-19 (adults or children who are clinically extremely vulnerable or those over the age of 16 who are clinically vulnerable to COVID-19).

For example:

• you are employed to provide personal care or work in any support roles (cook, housekeeping, cleaning, maintenance) including as a volunteer, in a residential care home;

• you are a registered professional in social care (such as a social worker, therapist or nurse);
• you work providing care for people in their homes or in community services such as home care, supported living, shared lives, extra care and day care services, or you are employed as a personal assistant.

Health and Social Care Workers aged 16 – 17 ¾ years

As outlined in the Green Book and protocol for the administration of Pfizer vaccine Health and Social Care Workers aged 16 -17 should receive two doses as part of the main roll out. Then Health and Social Care Workers aged 16 and over who have direct contact with patients, clients or service users are eligible to receive a third dose booster vaccination.

Please speak to your employer, if you’re not sure. If you are employed by a Trust, you should follow their guidance on booking in the first instance.

For some staff however, they may still be eligible for the booster because of other government criteria that they may individually meet, such as those who are clinical vulnerable.

How do I arrange my vaccination?

Eligible staff can book their appointment online or by ringing 119. Please don’t worry that the online information says wait to be invited. You should regard this communication as your invite. You do not need to be contacted individually by the NHS.

What evidence do I need to give?

As part of the booking process, you will need to self-declare you are a frontline health or social care worker. You may need to explain the role/work that you do and give the name of your employer.

When booking, you will be told what evidence you will need to provide at the vaccination site as proof of employment. We understand that this will be one of the following:

• An ID badge with your photo.
• A recent letter (last three months) from your line-manager.
• A recent payslip (last three months) that shows your employment.

Please note, you will only be vaccinated if official proof is presented. Proof of evidence will also be required if you access your booster through a local booking service or walk-in clinic.

Timing of your booster

Please remember you can only get your booster six months after your second vaccination.

So please check when that was and make sure you book after the six-month period.

You will not be able to use the national booking system until you are at six months.

We recommend that if you are eligible, to please go ahead and get your COVID-19 booster vaccination.

Further information on eligible groups

The following are eligible:

• Staff working in care homes for older and younger adults – Staff in these settings are eligible for boosters irrespective of whether they provide face to face care or not following statutory changes (vaccination as a condition for deployment).
• Those working for social care providers undertaking face to face personal care – These roles involve directly working with people who need care and support. This includes care worker, personal assistant, and supported living carer.
• Frontline supervisors / team leaders within social care organisations who have direct contact with clients
• Regulated professionals working for the Local Authority or other social care provider – these roles require the worker to hold relevant qualifications and to be registered with a regulated body to practice, such as a Approved Mental Health Professional or Occupational Therapist
• Those working for the Local Authority or other social care organisation providing support services, but not personal care, and who have direct contact with clients / people who need support, such as a driver, housekeeping or chef.

The following, however, are currently not eligible

• Social care workers working with children who are not at high risk from COVID-19, for example in early years education as a childminder or nursery nurse or with vulnerable children (SEND or Looked After Children) who are not clinically vulnerable to COVID-19.
• Administrative staff who do not have any direct contact with clients and who work in settings other than care homes.
• People who are unpaid carers and those providing home help, such as shopping or cleaning.