More than 410,000 people snapped up booster appointments yesterday (Wednesday 8 December) after the National Booking Service (NBS) opened to those age 40 and over to book their life-saving top-up after the updated three-month interval.

Almost half a million jabs were booked through the NBS in total, including 20,559 first doses and 39,623 second doses as people continue to take up the NHS’ evergreen offer.

Dr Emily Lawson, NHS Vaccination Lead, said: “It is fantastic to see that more than 410,000 people booked their top-up jabs yesterday through the NBS – one of our highest days for booster bookings yet – and on the same day that we marked one year of the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

“An incredible 100 million doses have been delivered over the past year by hard-working NHS staff and volunteers, preventing at least 24 million infections, hundreds of thousands of hospitalisations and almost 130,000 deaths.

“I have had my booster, it’s safe and effective, and I would urge anyone eligible to come forward as soon as they are called and join more than 18 million people who have already had their vital top-up dose, as it is the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from the virus this winter”.

The NHS will offer every eligible adult an opportunity to book in for their booster jab by the end of January, and in line with the updated Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance the health service is inviting people most at risk from the virus first, and is working through age groups in stages before opening up to other age groups.

With the National Booking Service now updated following the publication of UK Health Security Agency’s Patient Group Directive, all eligible adults aged 40 and over can now book their life-saving booster jab two months (61 days) after their second dose using the NHS national booking system, getting their top-up in protection three months (91 days) on from their second dose following updated JCVI guidance.