NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens has announced that all adults can now book a life-saving coronavirus jab vaccine.

Everyone aged 18 and over is being urged to arrange a jab if they have not had one as the NHS Covid Vaccination Programme begins the final push to protect the country. From 18 June, the NHS will start to send around 1.5 million texts to people aged 18-20 in a ‘watershed moment’.

The NHS is braced for high demand after the first group of people in their 20s to be offered vaccines booked more than one million appointments in a single day.

Currently, approximately eight in 10 adults have had their first dose while more than half having had their vital second dose, meaning they have maximum protection from coronavirus.

Latest figures show the NHS in England has delivered over 60 million vaccinations just six months after making history when Margaret Keenan received the first approved vaccine in Coventry.

Stevens said: “This is truly a watershed moment: whoever you are, wherever you live, if you are aged 18 or older and you are yet to book your Covid jab, today should be the day you make that happen. Only months after delivering the world-first first jab hard working NHS staff have given more than 60 million vaccinations in England alone, saving thousands of lives and giving the entire country hope for a brighter future.

“Extensive planning and the tireless hard work of staff and volunteers have made the NHS vaccine programme an historic success. Now we are delivering a final push to protect the country so when your time comes, or if you haven’t done so already, please play your part and come forward to make your first appointment or get your second dose.”