More than 40 million second doses have now been delivered by the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, after a bumper week saw over 200,000 people come forward for their second jab.

Data shows that approximately one in every seven of the 1.5 million doses delivered last week were second doses, as people who had previously delayed getting their second jab continue to come forward. Last week also saw more than 65,000 people aged 18 and over step up and get their first dose of the Covid-19 jab.

The UK Health Security Agency suggests 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.

It is believed that there are still more than 1.1 million people aged 18 and over who are eligible for their second jab but have not come forward yet, and the head of the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme is urging them not to delay any further.

Emily Lawson, NHS vaccination lead, said: “The offer of a covid-19 jab in the NHS vaccination programme is evergreen and it is fantastic that we have now given two or more doses to 40 million people across England, including 205,000 last week alone.

“We know people are busy and over half of people put off having their second dose in the run up to Christmas. NHS staff are making it as easy as possible for people to get the vaccine in their local communities and it never too late to get any of your doses of protection – whether it’s first, second or third.

“Vaccination continues to be our best protection against serious illness, so I encourage anybody who isn’t vaccinated or is still to get their second dose to come forward without delay to get the best protection on offer against coronavirus.”