WIREDGOV

More than 800,000 people have had their COVID-19 booster jab in the past 72 hours, as the NHS vaccination rollout intensifies efforts to protect those most at risk from coronavirus.

A total of 5.1 million booster jabs have been administered with around half of people aged 50 and over who are currently eligible getting their booster dose.

Saturday (23 October 2021) was the biggest booster day on record with 325,140 jabs administered.

In just the last three days 828,729 booster have been administered with hundreds of thousands more booked in for their appointment.

Earlier last week (Weds 20), people eligible for boosters were advised they could go online and book their booster through the National Booking Service without an invitation by letter or text, if it had been over six months and one week and they hadn’t already been contacted, making it even easier to get full protection from COVID this winter.

In the 24 hours following that announcement, the system saw a record 230,000 people book their booster jab through the National Booking Service.

The NHS kicked off the booster programme on September 16, within just two days of updated advice from the JCVI.

Nearly 85 million vaccinations have been delivered, and well over four in five adults have had both doses, since the NHS in England made history when Margaret Keenan received the first jab in December.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and Deputy Lead for the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, recently said:

“The NHS has delivered more than 800,000 boosters in just three days and it’s fantastic to see so many coming forward to book in their vital vaccination.

“Getting your booster jab is essential and is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones this winter – the vaccine is safe and effective so please do go online if you’re eligible or call 119 to book in for your lifesaving booster today.”

Currently around ten million people in England are eligible for a booster including health and care workers, those with underlying health conditions and people aged 50 and over.

People who are eligible can book in for their booster shot at least six months and one week on from their second dose, in line with independent expert advice – the number of people who are eligible changes daily as additional people reach six months since their second jab.

Eligible individuals are able to quickly and conveniently book an appointment at www.nhs.uk/book-covid-booster. People that can’t go online can book by phoning 119.

Those who are eligible for a booster at least six months on from their second dose include:

• 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 individuals.

NHS staff continue to vaccinate young people aged 12 to 15 at schools and mass vaccination sites after the government accepted the UK Chief Medical Officers’ recommendation to extend the vaccine offer to this age group.