Over two thirds of people aged between 65 and 69 have now had their first coronavirus vaccination, with people aged 64 also set to be called forward this week.

NHS England is now urging anyone aged 65 to 69 who has not been vaccinated to respond to their recent invite to get their life-saving jab at one of the more than 100 vaccination centres and almost 200 pharmacies across the country.

Those in this age group are now eligible to receive the vaccine, with more than one million invitation letters having arrived in homes across England this week, and online bookings open.

Anyone who is 65 or over can get an appointment in one of the vaccination centres by booking through the national booking service, as the NHS looks to help as many people in this age group get their jab and make use of available doses.

The fresh call to those aged 65 to 69 comes as invites for around 460,000 people aged 64 are due to land on doorsteps later this week, with this group of nearly half a million people set to be asked initially to book a slot at one of the larger vaccination centres.

Sir Simon Stevens said: “The NHS Covid vaccination campaign continues full steam ahead – letters inviting everyone aged 65 to 69 went out a week ago, and already over two thirds of them have had their first Covid vaccination. Across England overall nearly a third of adults have now had their first jab, and early signs suggest this is contributing to the welcome fall in coronavirus hospitalisation that we’re now seeing.”

More than 14 million people in England have had their first dose since the start of December last year.