More than 14,000 eligible people in south west London have booked an appointment to get their spring Covid-19 vaccine since the National Booking System opened on 15 April.
The NHS is encouraging everyone eligible to book a slot to get vaccinated as soon as possible via the NHS website, on the NHS app or by ringing 119 free of charge.
Following Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice, this year those eligible include those aged 75 and over by 30 June 2024, older adult care home residents and immunosuppressed individuals aged six months and over.
Eligibility for a spring vaccination is similar to previous years but those who are immunosuppressed are now eligible from six months old instead of five years.
Thousands of appointments are available every day across the country until the end of June, with many happening at pharmacies and GP practices.
As well as booked appointments, some sites offer walk-ins with a full list of local locations available on the NHS walk-in finder.
Last week vaccinations began in older adult care homes and for eligible housebound patients, with more than 1,400 vulnerable patients vaccinated in the first seven days while wider appointments started this Monday (22 April).
Covid-19 continues to cause hospitalisations and severe illness, particularly among those most at risk. So I urge all those aged 75 and over and those who have a weakened immune system to book their jab as soon as possible.
South west London chief medical officer Dr John Byrne
The NHS is contacting everyone who is eligible via text, email, or letter but people do not need to wait for an invite to book. Housebound patients should wait to be contacted by their provider who will be in touch to schedule their vaccination.
Covid-19 can still be very dangerous and even life-threatening, particularly for older people and those with a weakened immune system. The vaccine gives good protection and helps reduce the risk of serious illness or death, needing to go to hospital, catching and spreading the virus, and protects against different variants.
Dr John Byrne, chief medical officer for the NHS in south west London, said: “It’s great that more than 14,000 eligible people in south west London have already booked in for their important top-up vaccination.
“Covid-19 continues to cause hospitalisations and severe illness, particularly among those most at risk. So I urge all those aged 75 and over and those who have a weakened immune system to book their jab as soon as possible – ensuring they top up their immunity to give them the best possible protection.”
UK Health Security Agency surveillance data on last year’s spring Covid-19 vaccination programme showed that those who received a vaccine were up to 50% less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 for three to four months after vaccination, compared to those who did not receive one.
The NHS is also encouraging those eligible to get the shingles vaccine, which is recommended for all adults turning 65 from 1 September 2023, those aged 70 to 79, and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system. Anyone eligible should be contacted by their GP surgery to book an appointment.
A summary of the health conditions, treatments and medications that can cause a weakened immune system is available on the NHS website.