Millions to be offered Covid booster vaccine next week – are you eligible?

Covid booster jab will be rolled out up and down the country from next Monday.

Five million people are eligible for the booster dose up until the end of June.

This includes those aged 75 and over and anyone aged five and over who is immunosuppressed.

Care home residents are the first group eligible, with the care home programme rolling out across England from Monday.

Everyone else eligible will be able to book their jab online from April 5, with the first appointments available the week commencing April 17.

Millions will be sent invitations via the NHS app where they will also be able to book appointments.

Texts messages and letters will be sent to those without the app so everyone is targeted.

NHS director of vaccinations and screening Steve Russell said: ‘As a society we are learning to live with Covid but, for many, it is still a virus that can cause serious illness and hospitalisation, and so it is still really important that those at greatest risk come forward and boost their protection in the coming weeks.

‘There are still around 8,000 people in hospital with Covid, according to the latest data, and the NHS has now treated more than one million Covid inpatients since the pandemic began.

‘So if you are over 75 or you have a weakened immune system, please come forward as soon as possible to book a Covid vaccine this spring so you can enjoy summer with peace of mind.’

Health secretary Steve Barclay said: ‘Our successful vaccination programme has helped us all to live with Covid, saved thousands of lives and protected the most vulnerable from serious disease.

‘We’re committed to giving vulnerable people the protection they need from the virus, so I want to encourage those who are 75 or over or who have a weakened immune system to book their booster jab from Wednesday.

‘It’s quick and easy and will give the protection you need for the months ahead.’

The booster offer will end on June 30 and after this date targeted seasonal campaigns will occur.

The booster campaign will include vaccination with the Pfizer, Moderna, Sanofi/GSK jabs.

The Novavax vaccine will also be available when alternatives are not considered clinically suitable.

Children under 12 will be offered a children’s formulation of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and the vaccine people receive will depend on local supply.

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