NHS sends two million more invites for vital covid booster jab

The NHS is following guidance that boosters should be delivered at least six months after the second dose, with current evidence suggesting this is the best time to increase immunity to COVID-19.

More than 5 million people have already received the additional life-saving jab, since starting administering them last month, just two days after the JCVI updated its guidance. 800,000 people have had their COVID-19 booster jab in the past 3 days.

Anyone receiving a text or letter inviting them for a booster shot should come forward as soon as possible to get crucial protection.

Over 7.5 million people have already been invited by text, email and letter encouraging them to book through the National Booking Service. 

To make booster vaccinations even easier to access in Hertfordshire and west Essex, you can now also drop-in to some vaccination clinics across our area – without having to book in advance:

• Chigwell – Limes Centre Car Park, Limes Avenue, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 5LP
• Harlow – Lister Medical Centre, Abercrombie Way, Harlow, CM18 6YJ
• Harlow – LeisureZone, Second Ave, Harlow, CM20 3DT
• Hemel Hempstead Hospital, Hillfield Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4AD
• Letchworth Garden City – former Argos Store, Garden Square Shopping Centre, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3DP
• London Colney – Caledon Community Centre, Caledon Road, London Colney, AL2 1PS
• Sandridge – Village hall, 39 High Street, Sandridge, AL4 9DD
• Stevenage – Robertson House, 6 Six Hills Way, Stevenage, SG1 2FQ
• Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre, Hillhouse, Waltham Abbey, EN9 3EL
• Watford – Town Hall, Watford. WD17 3EX

Anyone eligible for their booster can book in via the National Booking Service or their GP when invited with more than 2,200 sites around the country, including GP practices, community pharmacies and other convenient local sites.

More than 84 million vaccines have already been delivered and 9 in 10 adults have had their first dose.

The NHS also revealed that over 90% of care homes have now been visited or have a booster clinic booked, as the NHS intensifies the latest phase of the vaccination campaign.

NHS medical director Professor Stephen Powis said: “Winter is coming and infection rates are rising and so it’s now really important that everyone receiving their invite for a booster vaccine from the NHS this week books in at one of the convenient vaccinations sites around the country offering this crucial, additional protection.

“Thanks to NHS staff nine in ten people have had a first dose, saving tens of thousands of lives and now more than five million boosters have been delivered in the first month of the roll out.

“I would urge anyone receiving an invite this week to book in as soon as possible – the booster dose is proven to significantly increase protection against Covid and will provide vital protection this winter”.

Messages will come from ‘NHSvaccine’ enabling anyone eligible to book an appointment at a convenient site nearby.

Currently around 10 million people in England are eligible for a booster including health and care workers, those with underlying health conditions and people aged 50 and over.

Invites for the booster shot is sent at least six months on from their second dose, in line with independent expert advice.

Eligible individuals are able to quickly and conveniently book an appointment at www.nhs.uk/book-covid-booster. People that can’t go online can book by phoning 119.

Those who are eligible for a booster at least six months on from their second dose include:

• those living in residential care homes for older adults
• all adults aged 50 years or over
• frontline health and social care workers
• all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 (as set out in the green book), and adult carers
• adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals.