Prime Minister Boris Johnson is urging the over 50s to get their covid-19 booster jab when called. The resilience of the NHS and avoiding Plan B rests on the successful distribution of the boosters, and other groups like 12-15 year olds getting vaccinated and all continuing to test regularly.
NHS delivers 3 million COVID vaccine boosters in first month
In just 4 weeks, the NHS has managed to administered 3 million booster vaccines to healthcare professionals, the over 50s and the most vulnerable. People are encouraged to take up their boosters when invited by text, email and letter and book through the online portal through the national booking service, or by phoning 119.
Boosters are continuing to add a ‘wall of defence’ to keep the virus at bay for the coming winter months and as people reach 6 months since full vaccination.
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.
The NHS is encouraging pregnant women to get their COVID vaccinations as data showed that nearly 1 in 5 of the most critically ill COVID patients were unvaccinated pregnant women.
