COVID-19 levels of infection in the UK are far lower than they have been earlier in the pandemic, even while most people have returned to taking fewer precautions against infection. Increased immunity in the UK population caused by vaccination and infection has likely brought us to this better place.

However levels of immunity are not fixed and much like the common cold it gradually declines in each of us, leaving us open to re-infection within a year. Consequently, we must keep ‘topping up’ immunity in order to avoid severe symptoms should we be infected. For most of us that are now likely to be a natural process of periodic re-infection until the virus stops circulating so widely.

If you are in a highly vulnerable group it is safest to top-up your immunity without being infected by having a booster vaccination. The Uk government will launch a spring booster campaign shortly to address this need.

Those who will be offered this booster will only be the most at risk, so you may or may not be offered it depending on the opinion of your local hospital doctor or GP. The criteria for the spring booster seem to be more restricted than earlier boosters and will only be offered 6 months after your last booster.

Criteria for the spring campaign are:

• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed (Your doctor will get guidelines to decide this for you)

There will likely be a less restricted booster jab in autumn 2023 too.