The move comes after the Government said that elderly and vulnerable people will require a third shot to ensure they have adequate protection against the virus during the winter.
It also follows on the heels of 16 to 18 year olds starting to get their first jabs last month.
The NHS proposes the roll out of the third doses of Covid-19 jabs from September 6 alongside flu vaccines. However, no official decision has yet been taken.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is expected to make an announcement in days on whether the UK will press ahead with an autumn booster campaign.
However, NHS officials have laid out in a report how the booster jab will be rolled out across Kent when they do get the green light.
The Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS Kent and Medway CCG) that oversees vaccine rollouts in the county, says the first stage will see the booster offered to all residents aged 70 and over, as well as the clinically vulnerable. Health and social care staff would also be included.
The idea is to offer the jabs at the same time as the seasonal flu shot.
According to research by the Times, around 16,202 people aged over 70 in Tunbridge Wells are expected to be offered the third dose of Covid-19 vaccinations.
In the second stage, 20,900 people aged 50 and over in the Borough will then be recalled for a booster.
This means more than 37,000 people in total will be offered the backup injection – nearly a third of the population.
Some 50,000 people in Tonbridge & Malling as well as similar number in Wealden are also likely to be called up for a third shot under the booster plans.
Across the whole of Kent, more than a million people are set to be offered the third dose.
Paula Wilkins, Chief Nurse at the NHS Kent and Medway CCG, said: “We have been advised that any potential booster programme should begin in September 2021 in order to maximise protection in those who are most vulnerable to serious Covid-19 ahead of the winter months.”
Current walk-in centres, such as the site at the Army Reserve barracks in St John’s Road, are expected to remain active to offer the booster, along with GP surgeries and medical centres.
Pop-up clinics will continue to be held in mosques, churches, homeless hostels and travellers sites.
Ms Wilkins added: “Phase three will also involve encouraging the identified groups to take up second doses for those who have not come forward, in addition to providing booster doses in all the groups.
“This might require the inequalities team to work with GPs when contacting patients to encourage them to have the vaccination, and using specific skills to hold difficult conversations.”
Photo: Nigel Chadwick
