Everyone aged 40 and over is now being invited to book a
life-saving Covid-19 jab as the NHS vaccination programme, the
biggest and fastest in the health service’s history, goes from
strength to strength.
Nearly three quarters of a million appointments were made on
Monday and Tuesday as the NHS began inviting 44-year olds
followed by people aged 42 and 43 by text.
Text messages are now going out to 40 and 41-year-olds today
allowing them to arrange a jab at the click of a button through
the national booking service.
Those aged 42 to 44 have already been text this week meaning in
total another 2.5 million more people have been invited for their
jab.
Since the vaccination rollout began in December, more than 28
million people have been protected with at least one dose in
England – nearly two thirds of the adult population.
NHS staff have fully vaccinated more than 11 million people with
second doses remaining a priority. It is vital everyone books in
for their second jab to ensure they receive the maximum
protection from coronavirus.
The NHS is vaccinating in line with guidance from the Joint
Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation as supply allows. Those
eligible will be able to book once they are invited to do so.
NHS England Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens
said: "With nine tenths of people aged 45 and over
having been jabbed, nearly three quarters of a million new
appointments were made in just two days as our booking service
opened to people aged 42 to 44.
"With second doses also proceeding apace, we're now ready to
invite all those aged 40 and over to join the most successful
vaccination drive in health service history."
NHS Medical Director, Professor Stephen Powis,
said: “The rapid rollout of the NHS vaccination
programme, the swiftest in Europe, is down to months of careful
planning and sheer hard work by nurses, doctors and countless
other staff supported by our volunteers.
“If you receive a text inviting you for your jab, please follow
the instructions provided and book – it is simple, effective and
provides vital protection against the virus.”
When invited, people will be able to book in at a Vaccination
Centre or pharmacy site through the national booking service.
The NHS currently vaccinates using three vaccines, Pfizer,
Moderna, and AstraZeneca, all of which have been approved as safe
and effective by the world leading medical regulator the MHRA.
People who cannot go online can call the service on 119 instead
to book their jab.
Text invitations appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’, including
a web link to the NHS website to reserve an appointment.
Vaccinations are now being administered at more than 1,700 sites
across the country, including mosques, museums and rugby grounds,
meaning the vast majority of the people live within 10 miles of
at least one vaccination service.
The NHS made history when Maggie Keenan became the first person
in the world to be protected against coronavirus outside of a
clinical trial when she received the Pfizer vaccine at Coventry
Hospital on 8 December.
The NHS was also the first health system to deliver the new
Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine when Brian Pinker, 82,
received his on 4 January.
