Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Wales’ health secretary has issued an update on who will be eligible for the autumn Covid-19 vaccination programme.

Eluned Morgan, who is set to leave her role next week to become the new First Minister, has made a statement following new advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

As part of its latest review of the Covid vaccination programme, the JCVI has published new advice about eligibility.

It is advising frontline health and social care workers are not included in the autumn booster programme, along with unpaid carers, and staff working in care homes for older adults.

The JCVI has also advised against the inclusion of household contacts of the immunosuppressed.

This is due to the “minimal” benefit of vaccination among these groups.

However, these groups will still be included in the autumn programme, despite the JCVI advice.

Baroness Morgan explained: “As the programme is due to start in a matter of weeks, removing these groups at this stage could cause concern.

“The Welsh ministers have decided to make a Covid-19 autumn vaccination available to these groups as part of the national programme.”

She continued: “It is anticipated this will be the last time a proactive offer is made to these groups, subject to the future public health position and ongoing review by the JCVI.

“Furthermore, recognising the JCVI’s advice that the clinical benefit of Covid-19 vaccination for these groups is minimal, I wish to make it clear that health board resources should not be channelled towards driving uptake of this vaccine among these groups.”

Baroness Morgan added: “As part of the anticipated transition to a narrower programme in future years, health boards will be permitted to vaccinate people in this group who come forward for vaccination, but no proactive offer will made.”

Who will be eligible for the autumn booster programme?

The following groups will be eligible for a single dose of the Covid-19 vaccine:

• Residents in a care home for older adults;
• All adults aged 65 years and over;
• People aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in tables three and four of the Covid-19 chapter of the Green Book;
• Frontline health and social care workers;
• Staff working in care homes for older adults;
• Unpaid carers.