NHS begins Covid-19 booster jab programme

The NHS started delivering Covid-19 booster vaccines to people in eligible groups of over-50s from Thursday (September 16).

Following the new advice by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the NHS vaccination programme will now invite eligible people, who had their second Covid jab at least six months ago, for a top up.

Hospital hubs have started vaccinating frontline health and care workers and identifying other eligible patients for the booster dose. GP-led local vaccination services will follow the suit in coming days.

Full vaccination rollout will commence from next week with more vaccination centres and community pharmacy-led sites starting the service.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, said: “Alongside one of our busiest summers in the NHS, our hardworking staff have also been gearing up to deliver the autumn booster programme, to give further protection to healthcare and social care workers and those most at risk from the virus.

“Now that the advice has been set out by the JCVI and once the relevant checks are in place, the NHS will invite you for your booster vaccination. There is no need to contact the NHS – we will be in touch with you when it is your turn to get your booster vaccine – at least six months on since your last dose.”

In the nine months since the largest vaccination programme began, 77 million vaccinations have been delivered, with four in five adults already receiving both doses.

In line with JCVI advice people will receive either one dose of the Pfizer vaccine or half a dose of the Moderna vaccine.

Health secretary Sajid Javid said: “We know vaccines save lives and with every jab our wall of defence across the country gets higher, with more than 112,300 lives saved and over 24 million cases prevented in England alone.

“I urge everyone who is eligible to come forward for their booster when invited, to prolong the protection that the vaccine offers those most at risk as we approach the winter months”.