People over the age of 65 can now book an appointment to get an autumn Covid-19 booster jab, meaning a further five million people are eligible for their winter top-ups.
Pregnant women and carers will also be offered the chance to book an appointment via the national booking system or over the phone by calling 119.
Those aged 75 and over, the immunosuppressed, and health professionals most at risk of contracting the infection, have been able to book their booster jab since last Wednesday, with appointments starting from today.
Approximately 26 million people will be able to book their jab over the coming few weeks.
NHS director of vaccinations and screening, Steve Russell, said: “There is no room for complacency in keeping Covid-19 on the backfoot, and this autumn booster will help protect those most at risk.
“From today those aged 65 and over, pregnant women and carers are now able to get their jab. If you are one of those eligible, it is as important as ever to get your next dose, so please do come forward as soon as possible.”
As with any previous vaccination campaigns, the people who are most vulnerable are being called up first, as long as it has been three months since their last jab. Those eligible for the autumn booster over the next few weeks include:
- The over 50s
- The immunosuppressed
- Housebound people
- Pregnant women
- Frontline healthcare workers
Several dozens of hospital hubs will be supporting the booster drive, administering the Covid jab to members of the public and their staff too.
The NHS will also be running their annual flu campaign in conjunction with their Covid drive, with people being able to get both jabs at the same time depending on where they get it.
More information on this latest stage of the NHS’s vaccine programme is available here.
