Updated: Wednesday 29 March 2023
- A new Government funded research study called Stravinsky is opening, which aims to provide doctors, policymakers, and individuals with up-to-date information on the impact of Covid-19, and future Covid-19 booster vaccinations, on people who are immune suppressed. It will investigate whether an antibody test result can predict an individual's risk of severe Covid-19 infection. We will publish details of how to join once available.
- NICE have published their final guidance on the drug treatments for Covid-19. We are relieved that NICE have listened to us and others and are now recommending that Sotrovimab remains available to people who cannot take Paxlovid.
- Evusheld, molnupiravir and remdesivir are not currently recommended as treatments by NICE, but the companies who produce these drugs are appealing against this decision. Final guidance will be published once the appeal process is completed.
- The spring Covid-19 vaccine booster campaign will begin on Monday 17 April 2023. The following groups will be offered the vaccine – people aged 5 and over who are immunosuppressed, residents of care homes for older people, those aged 75 and over. The spring booster dose should be offered around 6 months after the last vaccine dose, but can be given after 3 months.
- In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, eligible people will be written to over the coming weeks with an invitation to book their spring booster.
- In England, people with a weakened immune system will be able book their spring booster online from 5 April without waiting to be invited. It is sensible to take proof of immunocompromised status which includes a vaccination invite letter, an NHS letter describing your condition or treatment, or a repeat prescription slip.
- If you have not had a first, second or third vaccine dose (if you are immunosuppressed) you can get them anytime.
- The way in which people can access the Covid-19 treatments was due to change in April, but this has now been delayed until June 2023. Therefore, you should still follow the same process of registering a positive Covid-19 test online or calling 119 if you test positive and you will access the drug treatments through a Covid-19 Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU)
- The NHS Covid-19 App, which alerted people if they had been in close contact with an individual who reported a positive Covid-19 App, will be closing down on Thursday 27 April 2023.
- NICE have issued draft guidance recommending that Evusheld is not made available within the NHS as a preventative treatment as evidence suggests it is not effective against the current strains of Covid-19. See our news story for more information.
- We will continue to campaign for effective protection against Covid-19 for people who are immunosuppressed.
