The East of England’s lead pharmacy advisor for vaccinations, Sarah Cavanagh, has urged those eligible for a spring COVID-19 vaccine to come forward and take up their jabs while they are still available, as figures just published show just over four in ten eligible people in the region (40.3%) have received their jabs so far.

The weekly vaccination data shows NHS teams in the East of England have now delivered almost 400,000 (394,216) jabs since the rollout kicked off on 1 April. NHS staff in the East of England are also continuing to organise visits to older adult care homes and eligible housebound patients, with the week’s data showing uptake from older adults in care homes in the region is now at 51.1%.

But with just under six weeks to go, the NHS is reminding those at highest risk of getting seriously unwell if they catch the virus to come forward for their free vaccination and boost their protection now, including those aged 75 and over and people who are immunosuppressed.

Local teams have been working to make it as easy as possible for people to get jabbed close to home, including providing pop-up clinics in Suffolk and North East Essex and hosting walk-in clinics across East Anglia.

There is also a free mobile vaccination bus running in Norfolk and Waveney. The WOW (wellness on wheels) bus is supported by partner organisations across the ICS, including NHS Norfolk and Waveney, Norfolk County Council, the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector and others.

Thousands of appointments are also available every day across the country, with most happening at pharmacies and GP practices, and they will continue to run until Tuesday 17 June.

NHS teams have now invited all eligible people to come forward for their jabs, having already sent over 9.7 million invitations, and teams are now sending reminders via text, email, NHS App messages or letters.

Visits to care homes will also continue to run over the next six weeks, with two thirds of care homes having been visited in just over a month.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director, said: “COVID-19 is not just a winter illness and we cannot let the recent sunshine fool us into thinking it is no longer a threat.

“The virus continues to be dangerous for those most at-risk, particularly older people and those with weakened immune systems, so we are encouraging all those who are eligible to come forward as soon as possible and join the three million people already vaccinated so far over the last month.

“Previous immunity can wane over time, so it is important to top-up your protection and while we are sending out invites, you do not need to wait for this to book – just visit the NHS website, use the NHS App or call 119 to get an appointment in your diary.”

Sarah Cavanagh, Pharmacy Lead for Vaccinations in the East of England, said: “While the worst of the pandemic is thankfully behind us, hundreds of people every day in the East of England spent time in hospital with COVID over the winter. The COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection available to those most vulnerable to serious illness, and the best chance to stay out of hospital if you get it.

“We are making it as easy as possible for everyone who is eligible for the spring vaccine to get theirs as soon as possible and boost their protection.

“You can get yours for free at one of many sites close to you, including local pharmacies, GP practices, care homes, pop-up centres, walk-in centres and, in some areas, the mobile vaccination bus.”

Those eligible can book their appointment now through the NHS website (www.nhs.uk/bookcovid), the NHS App or by calling 119.

As well as booked appointments, there are thousands of walk-in appointments available every day, with a full list of local locations available on the NHS walk-in finder.