The NHS COVID vaccination programme will today start inviting eligible people to come forward for their life-saving Spring booster jabs. People aged 75 and over and those who are immunosuppressed will be able to book from 7am as the biggest and most successful vaccination programme in health service history enters a new phase. The Joint […]

Hundreds of thousands of people will be invited to book a Spring COVID booster this week as the NHS vaccination programme, the biggest and fastest in health service history, enters a new phase. Eligible groups for Spring boosters include residents of older adult care homes, people who are 75 and over and those who are […]

The world-beating NHS vaccination programme has expanded further so that 12 to 15 year olds who are most at risk from COVID, including those who are severely immunosuppressed and with underlying health conditions, can now book in their booster online. The national booking service has been updated so that the most vulnerable in this cohort […]

The NHS delivered 280,000 more diagnostic tests and checks in January compared to the same month last year, new figures show, as staff continue to work hard to tackle long waits and COVID-19 backlogs. Monthly performance data, published today, shows despite ongoing pressures on staff – including more than three million staff sick days in […]

MPs are nominating health service staff for their response to the COVID pandemic as part of the annual NHS Parliamentary Awards. The category recognising efforts during the pandemic, has been included in the annual event for the first time, after another extraordinary 12 months which has seen NHS staff and volunteers go the extra mile […]

Thousands of new NHS reservists will be recruited to support the health service as staff tackle COVID-19 backlogs, the head of the NHS announced today. Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive urged the public to enlist as an NHS reservist, with a wide range of opportunities available, including assisting people who are being discharged from hospital […]

NHS teams are set to visit over 650 schools this week to deliver second COVID-19 vaccines, as the majority of young people return to school after the half term break. Over 5,000 (5,136) more visits are planned before Easter as pupils become eligible, making it convenient for pupils aged 12 to 15 to get their […]

A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) has said the NHS Vaccination Programme met “stretching and unprecedented targets” as it helped save lives and reduce hospital admissions – all while making effective use of public money. Commenting on the findings, GP and deputy lead for the NHS Vaccination Programme, Dr Nikki Kanani, said: “The […]

NHS National Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis said: “Over 100,000 patients with COVID have been admitted to hospital since the emergence of the Omicron variant – and today’s figures show that staff remain under pressure on various fronts as they continue to make inroads on the elective backlog. “With seasonal pressures and almost 60,000 staff […]

A therapy dog called Ruby and a mini toy town full of fun to help keep young people calm while they get their jabs are just some of the attractions lined up by NHS staff and volunteers to get children vaccinated during half term. As many schools are on half term this week, the NHS […]