More than 14 million lifesaving Covid vaccination doses have now been administered across the east of England since the NHS launched the biggest and most successful vaccination programme in health service history in December 2020.

The milestone comes three weeks after Spring booster vaccinations were rolled out to those aged 75 and over and those who are immunosuppressed, with more than one million people nationally receiving this jab already.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has advised a spring jab should be offered to those most vulnerable to COVID-19 as a precautionary measure.

The NHS will invite people to arrange a jab through the national booking service when it is their turn. It can be accessed online at nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119.

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

“Healthcare staff across the east of England have pulled out all the stops in delivering vaccines and I would personally like to thank everyone involved in boosting the Covid immunity of our region and delivering more than 14 million vaccination doses.

“Covid vaccinations remain the best protection against the virus, and with case numbers rising in our region, it remains as important as ever to come forward and get your latest vaccination dose.”

Recent research from the UK Health Security Agency showed that the NHS booster programme has helped prevent around 197,000 hospitalisations since mid-December.

NHS health chiefs are expecting high uptake of spring boosters amongst people aged 75 and over after 4.5 million of them got their top up jab nationally over autumn and winter, and have recruited additional call handlers for the 119 service to help people book their vaccine appointment.

Last week, vaccines also opened to 5 to 11-year olds, with more than 600,000 eligible children across the east of England.

The NHS in the east of England has pulled out all the stops to make vaccinations as easy as possible for children, with many vaccine sites offering family clinics in which family members are encouraged to bring along children for their first jab.

Sites are also allowing for longer appointment times so that families can discuss their decisions and ensure visits with children are as stress-free as possible.

Vaccination stats for the east of England, correct as of 11 April:

• First dose: 5,188,152
• Second dose: 4,917,651
• Third dose: 3,926,996
• Fourth dose: 221,201

Cumulative total doses: 14,254,000

The full data is available here.