The NHS is encouraging people to come forward for their spring booster with just four weeks left before seasonal campaign closes at the end of June.

The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme has provided almost 500,000 people in the East of England with a spring booster to date, which is more than half of those eligible.

Friday 30 June is also the last chance for those yet to have their first or second COVID vaccine dose to come forward. After this, the NHS is moving to a targeted seasonal offer for those at increased risk.

There are over 250,000 appointments available over the next four weeks, at hundreds of sites across the East of England region, making it easier than ever to get protected.

The campaign kicked off on 3 April in adult care homes and mobile NHS teams have now visited around nine in ten care homes in the region.

More than 23,000 eligible care home residents – 80% of those eligible – have had this extra protection.

Others eligible for a spring dose have been vaccinated since 17 April.

Around 850,000 are eligible in the East of England in line with JCVI advice, which includes people aged 75 and over, people aged five and over with weakened immune systems and older adult care home residents.

Ruth Ashmore Regional Director of Commissioning SRO Flu and Covid NHS England – East of England said:

”While we have been pleased with the uptake of the COVID spring booster across the East of England so far, we are calling on those who are eligible and who haven’t come forward to do so now.

“Those who have already had the booster now have the extra protection to help avert what can be a fatal infection, especially amongst the vulnerable and elderly. With just one month to go, and more than a quarter of a million free appointments available, we urge those eligible, who still haven’t had their jab, to come forward a book an appointment today.”

In addition, anyone who has just had one COVID vaccination (or none at all) should also take advantage of the Spring campaign in its last few weeks to also get vaccinated and boost your protection.

Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose.

Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine but hasn’t yet been invited can check online. Alternatively, they can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site. For more information on the COVID vaccination click here.

The last spring vaccination appointments will be offered on 30 June.

COVID vaccinations for everyone who was aged 5 on or before 31 August 2022 will also end after that date, following recent advice from the JCVI. After 30 June, the NHS offer will become more targeted to those at increased risk, usually during seasonal campaigns.

There are more than 350 sites across East of England where you can be vaccinated, with the majority of appointments being delivered in communities by pharmacies and GP.