The NHS is inviting over one million more people who are most at risk from coronavirus for their booster vaccine this week.

Since the national booking system opened up for bookings for boosters on 21 September, almost 850,000 people have already booked in for their top up jab. Hundreds of thousands more text messages and letters are being sent out throughout this week.

NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard has praised NHS staff and volunteers for their efforts and encouraged anyone who has received their invite to come forward for their jab during a visit to Jacobs Well Community vaccine centre in Bradford. The head of the NHS said that staff were once again rising to the challenge to deliver the autumn booster programme at speed – starting just 48 hours after the government accepted the recommendation by the JVCI.

Current JCVI guidance says that everyone aged 50 and over, as well as clinically vulnerable individuals and frontline health and social care workers, should receive a top-up dose.

Pritchard said: “In just a few days, the NHS has seen almost 850,000 thousand people book in for their vital booster jabs and we will this week be inviting a further one million people who are most at risk from Covid to get this crucial top up to their protection.

“I encourage anyone who has received an invite, to come forward for their booster jab as soon as they can and protect themselves and their loved ones this winter.”