GP practices in England have been left confused by the omission of GPs and frontline staff eligibility for Autumn Covid boosters in the Green Book.
GPs have shared concerns that ICB advice on the matter had also been inconsistent and many practices said they had not ordered vaccine for GPs and staff because the Green Book did not include them.
The confusion stems from the JCVI’s decision not to continue to recommend Covid vaccination for frontline health and care staff, in favour or recommending local occupational health solutions.
However, as previously reported, the Government decided that because there was insufficient time to set up occupational health schemes it would fund Covid boosters for patient-facing GPs and staff this autumn.
This means GPs and patient-facing staff are eligible for the Autumn Covid booster and can book an appointment via the National Booking Service if their practice does not have sufficient stock.
Dr Susie Lupton, a GP in Sheffield said: ‘We all thought we weren’t [eligible] so didn’t arrange to get stock to cover our staff, then I hear on BBC news yesterday that all frontline health workers can. So I have now been to a pharmacy to get vaccinated.
‘We could have missed [communications] on it but it was surprise to us all yesterday. Seemed daft as if primary care capacity reduces by only 1% because we are off ill that overwhelms other services and it’s us in small unventilated rooms with viral patients.’
Dr Paul Evans, Gateshead LMC chair, also said there was ‘lots of confusion’ about the eligibility for healthcare professionals, ‘including amongst secondary care colleagues’.
And Dr Paul Triska, a GP in Surrey, said: ‘Assumption is shouldn’t be getting it but we will be using any spares for healthcare workers.’
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) explained that it is correct that the group is not covered by the Green Book for Covid boosters but that practices should instead refer to Government advice in this instance.
A spokesperson said: ‘The Green Book is correct. Healthcare staff are not part of the JCVI-recommended programme in the NHS. DHSC/NHSE have decided to offer vaccination and so the advice on that is covered by operational guidance (not the Green Book).’
In August, the Department of Health and Social Care said: ‘The Government has decided to continue to offer vaccination to frontline health and social care staff, as well as staff working in care homes for older people in the autumn 2024 programme.’
A version of this article was first published by our sister title Pulse
