The NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme will begin to invite eligible people in the East Midlands to come forward for their life-saving autumn booster jabs from today.
Frontline health and care workers, people who are immunosuppressed and people who are 75 and over will able to book in for the variant-targeted vaccine from 7am this morning.
Over 2 million of the most vulnerable people to Covid-19 in the East Midlands will be invited to book with letters landing on doormats this morning.
People can book by going online or calling 119 with appointments available from Monday 12 September.
The move follows the successful launch of autumn boosters in care homes on Monday, with the NHS delivering vaccines at one thousand care homes across the country this week.
Around 260 sites in the East Midlands are expected to be part of the rollout, including GP practices and community pharmacies, with new sites joining the programme making getting your booster jab as convenient as possible.
Around 40 hospital hubs across the Midlands will also join the latest booster campaign – delivering the vaccine to members of the public as well as their own staff, administering the flu vaccine where possible.
More than 10 million Covid-19 vaccines, including over 2.9 million top-up vaccinations, have been administered in the East Midlands.
Roz Lindridge, Director of Commissioning at NHS England and NHS Improvement in the Midlands, said:
“It’s fantastic to see that people are once again eager to get their vaccination with care home residents being the first to be offered the autumn booster.
“Ahead of winter autumn boosters are vital in helping to top up the immunity of the elderly and the most vulnerable across the Midlands to ensure they are protected from the dangers of COVID-19.
“We have already protected millions of people in the region at speed thanks to the efforts of our staff, GPs, pharmacies and volunteers.
“With the booking service now open for appointments next week, it’s important that anybody eligible books in without delay when they are invited by the NHS either by booking through the NHS website or calling 119.”
As with previous campaigns, the oldest and most vulnerable will be called forward first, with people able to book in online or through 119 as long as it has been three months since their last dose.
Around 26 million people across England will be eligible for an autumn booster over the comings weeks, which includes over 50s, those with a weakened immune system, health and social care workers and care home residents and housebound people, in line with guidance set out by the JCVI.
The NHS in the East Midlands will also be rolling out the flu vaccine and encouraging eligible people to take up the offer where possible.
Eligible individuals may be offered the flu and COVID jab at the same time subject to supply, with the doses approved to be co-administered.