The NHS has announced that coronavirus booster vaccines have been delivered or booked in at every older adult care home in England where safe to do so.

Over 9,700 care homes have already been visited and a further 1,100 homes have scheduled visits in the coming days and weeks. The NHS is now continuing to ensure all residents are offered their lifesaving booster jab with work underway to maximise access to their jab.

More than seven million people have now received their top-up protection since the NHS rolled out a booster within 48 hours of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommendation on 14 September. More than four in five eligible residents have now had their top-up jab.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and Deputy Lead for the NHS Vaccination Programme, said: “Within 48 hours of getting the green light to roll out boosters, the NHS began delivering top-up vaccines to care home residents, ensuring that some of the most vulnerable to coronavirus got extra protection as quickly as possible. Thanks to NHS staff, who have worked flat out, the NHS has now offered every eligible care home a booster and will continue to offer vaccines to additional residents as they become eligible.

“This winter will be different with the risk of flu and Covid and so getting your booster vaccine as soon as you become eligible is the best way to ensure you are protected – it’s easier than ever to get a booster, with details of walk-in clinics available on the NHS website, and you can also book an appointment online or by calling 119.”