NHS chief urges people to take Covid jab – ‘an evergreen offer’

With the approaching winter, the NHS chief executive has urged people to come forward to take a Covid-19 jab at nearby pharmacies, clinics, GP practices and other convenient community sites.

Since September, more than half a million adults have come forward for a first dose, an average of around 9,000 a day, over the past four-and-a-half months.

During this period, nearly 3,000 people aged 80 and over got their first Covid-19 vaccine administered.

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said the data were a “timely reminder” that the NHS offer of a vaccine “remains evergreen”.

She said: “With the twin threat of Covid and flu, we are facing a winter like no other and so it is even more important for people to get their jabs – first vaccine, second dose, booster or influenza.”

Since December 2020, more than 89 million vaccines have been delivered with more than nine in 10 people taking up the jab, but there are around 4.5 million people yet to come forward for their first dose, the NHS said.

It also stated that 482 people aged between 18 and 34 were admitted to hospital with Covid in England last week, up by one third in three weeks.

Vaccines minister Maggie Throup said: “Getting your Covid-19 vaccine is the single best way to protect yourself and your loved ones this winter, and it’s not too late to get your first dose if you haven’t already”.