All adults in the east can now book themselves in for their covid jab. Dr Sean O’Kelly, Regional Medical Director for the East of England welcomed the moment and said it is just as vital to get your jab now as it was on day one.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens announced the move today and hailed the moment all adults became eligible as “a watershed” moment.

Over 4.1 million people in the eastern region have had the lifesaving jab so far, with more than 76% of adults having had their first dose, and over 3 million second doses administered also.

The NHS is geared up for high demand after the first group of people in their 20s to be offered vaccines booked more than one million appointments nationally in a single day.

Today’s milestone comes fewer than 200 days since the NHS made history by delivering the first Covid vaccine outside of a clinical trial to Maggie Keenan in Coventry.

Latest figures show the NHS in England has delivered over 60 million vaccinations just six months after making history when Margaret Keenan received the approved vaccine in Coventry.

Dr Sean O’Kelly, Regional Medical Director for the East of England, said: “This is truly a remarkable moment for the east of England: whoever you are, if you are aged 18 or older and you are yet to book your Covid jab, today should be the day you make that happen.

“Only months after delivering the world-first first jab hard-working NHS staff in the east have given more than 7.2 million vaccinations overall, saving thousands of lives and giving the entire country hope for a brighter future.

“Extensive planning and the tireless hard work of staff and volunteers have made the NHS vaccine programme an historic success.

“Now we are delivering a final push to protect the east of England and it is just as vital now as it was on day one of the programme to get yourself vaccinated – if you haven’t done so already, please play your part and come forward to make your first appointment or your second dose.”

Tiffany Hemming, Director Covid-19 mass vaccination operational delivery for NHS England and NHS Improvement East of England, said: “We’re in the final weeks of this historic drive to get everyone aged 18 and over their first Covid-19 vaccine, having already vaccinated more than 4.1 million people in the local population in only six months, and ensured that over 3 million have had their second jab too.

“We know that getting both doses is vital to maximising the positive impact of the vaccines, if you’re offered the chance to bring forward your second jab, please do so and most importantly come forward for both appointments, and follow the tens of millions who have already got themselves this essential protection from Covid-19.”

When invited, people will be able to book at one of the 1,600 vaccination centres, pharmacies or general practice sites across the country that are available through the national booking service.

Vaccination centres are also available in convenient locations such as mosques, museums and rugby grounds.

Text invitations appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’ and include a web link to the NHS website to reserve an appointment.

People who cannot go online can call the service on 119 instead to book their jab.

People aged 39 and under who are eligible and pregnant women will be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in line with updated JCVI guidance.