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Warning to Check Your Eligibility for Covid Vaccine - as People 'Turned Away' After Criteria Changes
Between one-third and half of patients are turned away from over 10,000 England pharmacies after eligibility for free Covid autumn boosters was restricted to those 75 and older or immunocompromised.
- Last week, pharmacists across England reported many patients booking Covid jabs only to find they no longer qualify, as NHS online booking system issues emerged within an hour.
- Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, eligibility narrowed this year to adults aged 75 and over, care home residents for older adults, and immunosuppressed people, citing Covid as a `relatively mild disease for most people`.
- Community Pharmacy England reports that between a third and half of patients booked via the national system are refused at over 10,000 chemists, with pharmacy teams facing upset and some abusive behaviour.
- NHS England said it updated website wording to clarify tightened eligibility, while Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, urged respect for pharmacy teams and pressed NHS England and the Department of Health for a swift resolution.
- Broader context shows millions of people previously eligible are now excluded, reducing uptake even among the vulnerable, while online booking will close on January 30, 2026, with the last eligible date 31 January 2026.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution55% Center
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources are Center
55% Center
L 27%
C 55%
R 18%
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