Total vaccinations have hit the 96 million mark as the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme continues its drive to protect the most vulnerable ahead of Christmas.

After cases of the new COVID variant, Omicron, have been identified in England, the NHS’s top doctor has urged those in newly eligible groups to come forward as soon as they are eligible for the top up protection against the virus as well as reminding people that it’s never too late to get a first or second jab.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “With Christmas around the corner, getting jabbed is the best shot we have to keep the country going forwards in our collective Covid battle. Thanks to the efforts of NHS staff and volunteers more than 96 million doses of the lifesaving Covid-19 vaccine have been given providing vital protection for 9 in 10 people but the emergence of the new variant, Omicron, shows that this pandemic is far from over.

“Whether it is for your first or second jab or booster vaccination, I would urge everyone to come forward and book your jab as soon as you can and give yourself and loved ones vital protection and peace of mind in the run up to the festive period. It is never too late to get your vaccine.

“Thanks to hard work of NHS staff and volunteers we have carried out almost two million vaccinations a week on average since the largest vaccination drive in NHS history began last December –with more sites delivering jabs across the country, including in schools, pharmacies, hospital hubs and walk-in sites as we deliver hundreds of thousands of first and second doses, boosters and third doses every day.”