NHS delivers two million spring boosters
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The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme has vaccinated more than two
million of the most at-risk people in England with a spring covid
jab since the programme launched last month. As of Friday 5 May,
the NHS has vaccinated 2.04 million people during this booster
campaign. More than 153,000 care home residents – representing over
half of all those eligible – were initially vaccinated in just
three weeks (from April 3rd). Everyone else has been vaccinated
since the...Request free trial
The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme has vaccinated more than two million of the most at-risk people in England with a spring covid jab since the programme launched last month. As of Friday 5 May, the NHS has vaccinated 2.04 million people during this booster campaign. More than 153,000 care home residents – representing over half of all those eligible – were initially vaccinated in just three weeks (from April 3rd). Everyone else has been vaccinated since the programme formally launched on 17 April, just over two weeks ago. Around 6.6 million people are eligible in line with advice from the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which includes over 75s, people aged five and over with weakened immune systems and care home residents. The NHS – now in its 75th year – has administered more than 146 million covid jabs over several vaccination campaigns since Maggie Keenan became the first in the world outside of a clinical trial to receive the vaccination in December 2020. NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening, Steve Russell, said: "NHS staff and volunteers continue to work flat out to offer protection to the most vulnerable and have now delivered more than two million spring covid jabs, less than three weeks since the campaign formally launched. "Hundreds of thousands of people continue to get vital protection from covid everyday – if you are eligible but yet to come forward, please join the millions of others and book your spring booster as soon as possible." This latest vaccination, is being offered to those considered most at risk, following advice from the JCVI. Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose. Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine but does not get invited can check online. Alternatively, they can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site. The last spring vaccination appointments will be offered on 30 June. Covid-19 vaccinations for everyone who was aged 5 on or before 31 August 2022 will also end after that date, following recent advice from the JCVI. After 30 June, the NHS offer will become more targeted to those at increased risk, usually during seasonal campaigns. There are more than 2,500 sites across England, with the majority of appointments being delivered in communities by pharmacies and GPs. People urged to get Covid jab before offer ends
People who have not yet come forward for their first and/ or second dose of the Covid vaccine are being encouraged to get their jabs before the offer ends on Friday 30 June. The NHS’s world-leading vaccination programme has so far delivered over 146 million Covid jabs, helping to save tens of thousands of lives, protect the most vulnerable from serious illness and allowed us to resume our normal lives without restrictions. For people aged 18 and over, there is an 8-week interval requirement between receiving a first and second dose of Covid vaccine. Appointments can be booked easily online, by calling 119, or people can visit one of the hundreds of walk-in vaccination sites open across the country. Building on the success of autumn and spring booster programmes, a seasonal, targeted vaccination offer will remain open for those most at risk, in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). This will help to focus efforts and ensure the most efficient use of NHS resources as we work to cut the backlogs and reduce waiting times. Health Minister Maria Caulfield said: As we live with Covid without restrictions on our freedoms, it is right that we move towards a more targeted vaccination offer that prioritises those most at risk, so we can focus our efforts on cutting waiting lists for NHS treatment – one of the Prime Minister’s top five priorities. As the offer for any adult to get a Covid vaccine comes to an end on 30 June, I would urge those who have not yet come forward to choose to have the first and second Covid vaccine. It takes minutes to get your jab and thousands of sites are open across England. Vaccines are our best line of defence against the virus. I’ve stayed up to date with mine – it’s quick and easy so I would urge you to do the same before the offer closes. This year’s spring booster programme continues to gather pace, with over two million eligible people receiving their vital top-up dose. Roving NHS vaccination teams have been visiting care homes across the country since 3 April, with eligible people living in the community accessing the jab since 17 April. The spring campaign will end on 30 June – the same day the offer of a first or second jab ends. The JCVI advised the risk of serious illness with Covid continues to be disproportionately greater in those from older age groups, residents in care homes for older adults, and persons with certain underlying health conditions. NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening Steve Russell said: The fastest and largest vaccination programme in NHS history has delivered more than 146 million Covid jabs since it began, including more than 45 million first doses, but now it is right as we learn to live with covid, that we move to targeted seasonal campaigns to protect the most vulnerable. With the existing offer of a first and second dose for everyone set to end alongside the current spring campaign, everyone aged 18 and over who is unvaccinated must come forward for their primary course by the end of June to receive protection. The vaccines are safe, effective, and the best way to boost your protection from serious illness caused by covid – so please do come forward for your dose of protection. Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, said: The Covid vaccines have enabled us to live with the virus thanks to the protection they have given the millions >of people who have come forward to date. Getting the vaccine remains the best way to avoid severe illness and it can increase your protection even if you have previously had the virus. It only takes a few minutes and I encourage anyone who has not yet done so to come forward before the offer ends. Should a person move into an at-risk group, the offer of a first or second dose will re-open with the seasonal booster programmes. Notes to editors:
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