Today, bookings will open for hundreds of thousands of people to get their Spring COVID booster, topping up the protection of the most vulnerable against COVID-19.
Our phenomenal vaccination programme has saved countless lives and built a wall of defence which has allowed us to learn to live with COVID – but we must protect this success and top up people’s protection. That is why, from today, bookings will open for Spring boosters, and this week around 600,000 people will be invited to book, with eligible groups including care home residents, the over 75s, and those who are immunosuppressed aged 12 and over. Once invited by the NHS, people will be able to book their appointment through the National Booking System either online or by calling NHS 119. In all, around five million people will be able to get a Spring booster dose.
This will give the most vulnerable additional top up protection as we continue to learn to live with COVID, and we urge everyone to come forward as soon as they are contacted by the NHS.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:
“Our phenomenal vaccination programme has saved countless lives and built a wall of defence which has allowed us to learn to live with COVID.
“Following the massive success of the rollout so far, we are now offering over-75s and the most vulnerable a spring booster dose to top up their protection against this virus.
“Please come forward as soon as you are contacted by the NHS.”
Research by UKHSA estimates since mid-December some 157,000 hospitalisations have been prevented by booster doses. NHS staff and volunteers have delivered over 118 million vaccinations in total, including 32 million top-up jabs since the booster rollout began in September. Eligible adults will be offered either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, with any eligible people aged between 12 and 18 getting offered the Pfizer vaccine. The NHS also continues to offer first, second, and third doses for those who are yet to come forward for one.
For more information on the spring COVID booster programme, including comments from the NHS chief executive and the Vaccines Minister, please visit: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2022/03/nhs-to-begin-spring-booster-vaccinations-this-week/.
