The first spring Covid-19 vaccines have started to be administered this wee, with more than half a million appointments booked in the last week.
Since the booking system opened on 25th March, 563,154 Covid-19 spring booster jabs have been booked, with NHS professionals encouraging the most vulnerable to book their appointment.
Those who are recommended to get extra protection this year include those aged 75 and over, older adult care home residents, and immunosuppressed individuals aged six months and over.
Booster jabs can be booked via the NHS App, the NHS website, by making a free call to 119, or if invited by their GP practice.
The latest weekly figures show more than 1,000 Covid-19 patients are in hospital on average every day (from the week commencing 23rd March), demonstrating that Covid-19 continues to be a serious illness.
Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on last year’s spring Covid-19 vaccination programme showed that those who received a vaccine were more than 40 per cent less likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid-19 for up to tow months after vaccination, compared with those who didn’t take up the offer of a vaccine.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director, said: “It is important we remember Covid-19 is not just a winter illness and even in spring and summer it remains dangerous for those most at risk, such as older adults, care home residents, and those who are immunosuppressed.
“It is great to see more than half a million of those eligible have already booked in to get their jabs and I encourage others to come forward and get booked in as soon as possible — protection from Covid-19 vaccination reduces over time so just because you may have had a jab before, it is important to get a top-up if you are in one of the most at-risk groups.
“With vaccinations starting today across the country, you do not need to wait for you invite to book — you can check our walk-in finger, book via the NHS website, the NHS App or call 119 and get a date for your jab in your diary.”
