Lewisham hospital turns away under 30s for booster jab – despite guidance saying over 18s can get it

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

A South London hospital wrongly turned away under 30s from a queue for Covid booster jabs.

Lewisham Hospital told them not to bother waiting in the line unless they could prove they had a “severely” weak immune system.

But the latest NHS advice says anyone aged 18 or over can get a booster dose at walk-in Covid vaccination clinics.

People visiting the walk-in clinic at Lewisham Hospital on December 14 were greeted by an A4 printed sign telling them to leave the queue if they were younger than 31.

The poster, dated December 14, read: “Please do not que for a walk in booster dose if you are under the age of 30 unless you were sent an invitation by NHS England or have evidence that you are severely immunosuppressed.”

Crowds had been lining up outside the hospital in South East London for a Covid jab since December 12 when Boris Johnson urged people to get a booster jab in a speech.

Lewisham resident, Chloe, said her partner, James, neither of whom wanted to give their surname, headed to Lewisham Hospital for a Covid vaccine on December 14.

He had previously been unable to book a booster jab appointment through the NHS website.

When he arrived at the hospital, the 29-year-old noticed a board which said to expect a two hour wait for a jab, but nowhere did it say under 30s weren’t being accepted.

After waiting for 45 minutes, James saw a second sign further along in the queue which told under 30s not to queue for a booster.

He left the line with a few other people aged under 30 who had been waiting for around an hour.

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust said a number of people aged under 30 were turned away from the vaccine clinic on December 14 in error.

It has since closed all its Covid jab clinics to walk-ins due to high demand.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “A small number of people aged under 30 who’d come to our walk-in clinic were turned away in error due to a misunderstanding about eligibility.

“From today, people in this age group should be able to book an appointment through the government’s online booking service.

“We are fully booked for this week and have temporarily closed our clinics to walk-ins, but for information on other walk-in clinics in the area, please visit the South East London CGC website.”