The first booster jobs have been delivered to eligible people as what has been branded the "biggest" immunisation programme in the history of the NHS moves onto its next stage.
Up to 4.3 million eligible people are set to get the third dose of their Covid jab in the next few weeks, which aims to top up their protection against Covid-19.
Hospital hubs have already started delivering the jabs to frontline health workers, who are among the priority groups, while GP-led services will follow in the coming days.
Local areas will be prioritising care home residents and staff so they can have their booster jab by the beginning of November.
In order to be able to have the booster jab, you must have had the second dose of a Covid vaccine at least six months ago.
Those eligible for the first boosters are:
- 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 individual
Local areas have already been identifying and vaccinating people aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed with a third jab following updated guidance from the JCVI in early September.
The roll out will reach its full extent next week, when more vaccination centres and community pharmacy-led sites join the inoculation efforts.
People should wait to be called or texted from their local GP, or they will be invited by the National Booking Service, which will start issuing invitations from next week.
In line with JCVI advice people will receive either one dose of the Pfizer vaccine or half a dose of the Moderna vaccine.
Catherine Cargill, a maternity support worker at Croydon University Hospital, said she took on the offer of a booster jab "to make sure I'm protected'.
She said: “I’ve just had my booster vaccine, my Pfizer vaccine, and I have had it ahead of the winter season to make sure I am protected, to make sure I can carry on working, I can carry on spending time with my family, and so I can carry on with my studies.
“I would definitely want to encourage you to get your booster shot when you are invited to do that.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “It is brilliant to see that the first booster jabs are being rolled out today – thanks to the phenomenal efforts of the NHS who continue to work tirelessly to help us fight COVID-19 and protect the most vulnerable.
“We know vaccines save lives and with every jab our wall of defence across the country gets higher, with more than 112,300 lives saved and over 24 million cases prevented in England alone.
“I urge everyone who is eligible to come forward for their booster when invited, to prolong the protection that the vaccine offers those most at risk as we approach the winter months.”
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for the covid vaccination programme said: “The fast preparations of staff to get ready for boosters comes on the back of our biggest vaccination drive in health history which has delivered more than 77 million vaccinations across the country.
“Getting the vaccine remains the best way to protect yourself and those around you from covid – so please do come forward for this top up of protection when you are invited.”
