As the largest ever NHS vaccination programme enters its last lap, Dr Vin Diwakar, Medical Director for the NHS in London, encourages Londoners to come forward for their “vital and lifesaving” second dose of the Covid vaccine.

The plea comes as people aged 40 and over are being contacted to book their second jab on the national booking system from eight weeks after their first dose.

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

Research this week showed how important the second jab is at protecting people against the Delta variant first identified in India.

The studies found a second dose gives substantially better protection compared to only one, with both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines being more than 92% effective against hospitalisation and serious disease after two doses.

The last push comes as nearly 8 million doses of the vaccine have been administered at one of the hundreds of local vaccination sites across the capital, including at GP practices, places of worship, sports grounds, shopping centres and pharmacies.

Dr Vin Diwakar, Regional Medical Director for the NHS in London said:

“To ensure maximum protection, I urge all Londoners to book in their second dose as soon as possible.

“Thanks to the incredible work of NHS staff and volunteers in London, seven out of ten adults have now received at least one dose of the vaccine, and in doing so, are helping the country as a whole beat this devastating virus. The offer of the vaccine is evergreen, so if you have been invited but are yet to make an appointment, please do so today and help bring us one step closer to freedom.”

Ashanti Omkar, a film critic and broadcaster living in London, recently received her second dose of the vaccine at Guy’s Hospital.

“I got an early call back for my second vaccination and I’m super grateful to the NHS team!

“I pray that more people get vaccinated soon so things can get better. The vaccine offers great protection, but I will continue to wear a mask where necessary.”

With everyone aged 21 and over now able to book in for the vaccine, eligible people are being asked to get jabbed as soon as possible.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens announced on Tuesday that all people aged 18 and over will be eligible for the lifesaving jab by the end of the week.

Text invitations appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’, including a web link to the NHS website to making a booking.