More than three million covid boosters and third primary doses have now been given across the East of England to protect the community from Covid-19, little more than a year since the vaccination programme began.

More than 12.8 million doses have been delivered across the region in total, and it is not too late to give you and your family the gift of covid protection this Christmas. In Mid and South Essex alone, nearly three and a half thousand people received their first dose of the vaccine last week (Monday, 13 December to Sunday, 19 December), and everyone can still get their first dose as part of the ongoing offer from the NHS to get your first jab before Christmas and the New Year.

Ruth Ashmore, director of commissioning and executive lead for the vaccination programme for NHS England and NHS Improvement East of England, said:

“Getting your life-saving covid vaccines, and the all-important booster, is the best protection you can get for yourself and your family this year from Covid-19. It could help to save your life, and any potential side-effects from having the booster are minor in comparison to the symptoms you could experience from catching Covid itself.

“Please don’t wait until after Christmas for your vaccine, get it now! The sooner you get your booster jab the sooner you will benefit from increased protection, especially against the omicron variant. If you are eligible for a booster, but haven’t got round to booking an appointment yet or have one booked for later on next year, please do consider trying to move your appointment forward or attending a walk-in as soon as possible, if you are eligible.

“I also want to say thank you to each and every staff member and volunteer who is dedicating their time to this national effort, but also want to ask everyone to do the right thing and get vaccinated, for themselves, their family and friends, and the country.”

Teams in the East of England have been working hard to ensure the vital covid vaccines are rolled out across the region, via large vaccination sites, pharmacies, GPs, hospitals, and even pop-ups and roving vaccination buses.

As well as offering a first vaccination to anyone who is yet to accept the invite, the NHS is also urging everyone over 18 to get their booster from three months after their second or third primary dose, as soon as possible. Every eligible adult can now book in for their lifesaving jab online and although walk-ins are available in some places, booking is best, so head to www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or call 119 to guarantee your jab.

Appointments continue to be available over the festive period, and the national booking service has now also opened for 12-15-year olds to get their second COVID-19 jab, as part of the national mission to get people protected against the new Omicron variant. All eligible 12-15s will be able to book their all-important second jab online if they had their first dose more than twelve weeks ago, in line with updated guidance from the JCVI published on 29^th November.

It takes a huge team to make the vaccination programme, so any former staff, students and volunteers that would like to join the vaccine teams are also being urged to go to http://www.england.nhs.uk/joinvaccineteam to find out how they can help.