Booster vaccinations for dental students (England)

The NHS booster programme has now been rolled out for people over the age of 18 in England. Dental students, including Dental Care Professional students for dental nursing, dental hygiene and therapy, are encouraged to book a booster vaccine against Covid-19 at their earliest convenience. The dental student team can book an appointment through the NHS system or attend a walk-in clinic, and other local arrangements may also be in place.

While the proposed regulations relating to mandatory vaccination for public facing roles in the NHS only relates to full vaccination (currently defined as two doses) it is likely that placement providers will require students attending their sites to have had a booster. If students are unable to access placements it is difficult for dental schools to ensure that they have met the outcomes set by the General Dental Council in a timely manner. If students are in their final year of study it may impact on their ability to graduate on time if they are unable to access the required clinical placements.