Updated 16.08.24
Advice on Autumn 2024 vaccination
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has announced its advice for the COVID-19 vaccination programme for autumn/winter 2024. In previous years, this was called the autumn booster in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the winter booster in Scotland.
The JCVI says the following people should be offered a COVID-19 vaccination:
The JCVI says that although covid is around throughout the year, the threat is highest during the winter.
We will add information about how to get your vaccination in each of the UK nations as soon as we have it.
Why vaccinate?
People with blood cancer should continue to take up COVID-19 vaccines when offered through seasonal programmes as it protects them from serious illness and hospitalisation.
Like all drugs, vaccines have potential side effects but the current evidence indicates that for people with immunosuppression caused by blood cancer, including CLL and SLL, or its treatments, the additional protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines is very likely to outweigh the small risk of side effects or complications.
The QResearch study also showed that continuing to have doses of COVID-19 vaccines is important for people with blood cancer to maintain their immunity. Repeat vaccination is important because COVID-19 vaccines are updated seasonally so that they are more effective against current or recently circulating variants of the virus, much like flu vaccines.
