There are more than 1.5 million covid jab appointments currently available between today and Monday 3 January, the NHS said today.

Anyone eligible for a first, second or booster jab can book a convenient appointment online over the next week through the national booking service to guarantee their boost of protection. However people cannot get vaccinated within 28 days of having had the virus.

NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis called on people to get boosted in time for new year. He said:

“The evidence is clear that two covid jabs is not enough, and with the Omicron variant, there is no time to delay getting your booster.

“Staff and volunteers up and down the country are working incredibly hard to make sure that anyone who wants to get boosted between now and the new year can do, so start 2022 by protecting yourself, your friends and family and book your jab today.”

Background

As of the morning of Sunday 26th December, there were 1,551,187 vaccine slots available between 27th Dec and 3rd Jan (inclusive).