Every eligible 16 and 17-year-old is now able to book their vital booster jab as the fastest and most successful vaccination programme in NHS history continues to expand.

Approximately 40,000 teens will be eligible for their top-up dose when the national booking service opens to them on 17 January, with more able to get boosted in the coming weeks as they reach three months since their second jab.

Since the vaccination programme rolled out to this age group in August, more than 889,700 teens – seven in 10 people aged 16 and 17 – have had their first dose. More than 600,000 in this age group have had their second jab.

Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency showed that two doses of the vaccine are not enough to stop people becoming unwell from Omicron, but a booster significantly increases protection against the variant.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and Deputy Lead for the NHS Vaccination Programme, said: “The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme is expanding once again to offer eligible young people aged 16 and 17 the chance to book their boosters through the online booking service from tomorrow, with walk-in sites also available across the country, as the biggest and fastest vaccine drive in health service history continues at pace.

“Covid has caused so much disruption for so many families over the past two years, affecting young people’s lives and education, and getting vaccinated protects them, their family and their friends, letting them stay at school and continue socialising. We know that the best protection against coronavirus is to get vaccinated and I’d urge everyone, whatever your age, to come forward and get that vital top-up as soon as it is possible.”