The NHS vaccination programme has delivered life-saving jabs to half of all adults in England aged under 30.

More than 4.2 million people aged 18 to 29 have received a jab just three weeks after the programme was opened to those in their twenties. The new figures come as the NHS has opened hundreds of walk-in services where people can be vaccinated without a booking, and senior medics and vaccinators have urged those not yet jabbed to ‘Grab A Jab’.

Walk-in sites at sports grounds including the home of Newcastle Eagles Basketball, Watford’s Vicarage Road, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and Edgbaston cricket ground have been stood up this weekend, while roving vaccination buses are operating in Dudley, Colchester, Ipswich and elsewhere.

The walk-in sites come on top of the 1,700 NHS vaccine centres, GP and pharmacy led services.

The NHS has made it easier than ever before to get a vaccine and launched a new online service that lets people find their nearest walk-in centre for a jab by simply entering their postcode.

NHS England director of primary care Dr Nikki Kanani said: “The uptake we have seen among 18 to 29-year-olds in the last week shows how much young adults – like all those before them – recognise the importance of getting protected, as the NHS continues to deliver the largest and fastest vaccination programme in history at a phenomenal rate.

“It is incredible to see the progress already made – we are so grateful to the staff working day in day out to ensure that half of 18- 29 year olds are already protected with their first dose.

“NHS teams and their local partners are working flat out this weekend to vaccinate as many people as possible at convenient walk in sites up and down the country so if you are 18 and over, go along and ‘grab a jab’ – with every vaccine in an arm, we are one step closer to our summer freedoms. It has never been easier to get protected so whether it is your first or second dose – please book in as soon as you can.”