The NHS in London is urging those who are eligible and yet to get a Covid booster to book an appointment this week, which will be the final week before the current booster offer ends for people including those who are over 50, immunosuppressed or pregnant.
The NHS vaccination programme will have appointments available at over 460 sites open across the capital this week, giving everyone the opportunity to book a booster appointment if they have not already.
So far over 13,000 people in London have booked in for their Covid vaccine this week and there are still over 402,000 appointments up for grabs in the capital before the programme scales down.
Sunday 12 February is the last day of the autumn booster campaign and will also be the final day that 16 to 49 year olds who are not considered at risk will be able to get a booster following updated advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
The JCVI is recommending moving to a more targeted offer for those considered to be at risk of serious illness. It has already advised that there should be another autumn vaccination campaign later this year, as well as a potential spring campaign for the most vulnerable.
More than 1.7 million people in London have so far come forward for a booster throughout this winter.
The NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme has delivered 144.5 million doses of the vaccine since Maggie Keenan became the first in the world to receive an approved jab.
Jane Clegg, Chief Nurse for the NHS in London said:
“With just one week left of the autumn booster campaign, I would encourage anyone who has not yet booked in for their top-up to do so as soon as you can. We know the Covid vaccine is the best way to ensure you keep yourself and others protected and prevent the further spread of the virus.
“NHS staff in London are working extremely hard to care for patients amid record pressures on emergency services this winter while still caring for patients with Covid and flu in hospital. By getting jabbed against these viruses you are giving yourself maximum protection and preventing serious illness.”
Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Director of Public Health, NHS London said:
“The NHS vaccination programme has been a huge success and the biggest roll-out in history and it is so important that eligible people take up the offer of a Covid booster before it is too late.
“The booster is the best way to maintain protection against the virus, that is still in circulation in our communities, and give yourself peace of mind.”
The NHS Covid vaccination programme will continue to run a smaller operation after 12 February, allowing those who are immunosuppressed and yet to come forward for first, second or third doses to still book their appointments.
