With a record number of walk-in and pop-up vaccination centres open across London this weekend, anyone aged over 18 and not yet vaccinated against Covid-19 should use this weekend to get their first dose, says Dr Vin Diwakar, Medical Director for the NHS in London.

More than 60 pop-up centres, including many walk-in options, will be open this weekend for Londoners to ‘grab a jab’. Sites range from local community hubs such as the Al Birr Mosque in Leyton, the St Nicholas Shopping Centre in Kingston and Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford, to large sports grounds including the Arsenal Emirates stadium and Charlton Athletic Football Club.

Second doses will also be available this weekend, as long as it has been eight weeks since the first dose for people aged 40 and over and 12 weeks for people under 40.

Check which Covid-19 vaccination services are open near you: https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/our-work/covid-19-vaccination-programme-2/covid-19-vaccine-sites-in-london/

You can also call 119 or visit the national booking service to book an appointment at a local vaccination centre or pharmacy.

The NHS has also launched a new online service enabling people to simply enter their postcode and find their nearest walk-in site: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-siteccination site (www.nhs.uk) Text messages will be sent to people living nearby who haven’t yet had their first dose.

The move comes as the NHS in London continues the final push to vaccinate everyone, following the watershed moment last Friday when every adult in the country became eligible for the jab.

Over 8.2 million doses of the vaccine have already been given in London.

Dr Vin Diwakar, Medical Director for the NHS in London said: “It is just as important to get vaccinated now as it was on day one of the vaccine being offered, and it has never been easier to walk in and grab your jab than while you are out and about in London this weekend.

“We urge everyone who has not yet had their first dose to find the most convenient walk-in for them this weekend, because the more people who get the life-saving jab, the safer it is for everyone.”

People who attend a walk-in clinic for their first dose will have their vaccination record updated online and will then be able to book in their second dose appointment using the national booking system.

GP and Senior Clinical Adviser to the vaccination programme in London, Dr Oge Ilozue said: “We are in the final weeks of our world-leading vaccination programme and it’s been a privilege to help keep people safe and to see the smiles on people’s faces once they’ve had their jab.

“With everyone over 18 now eligible and plenty of walk-in sites open this weekend, if you haven’t had your first dose yet then this should be the time you make that happen and play your part in keeping us all safe.”

More than 7 in 10 adults in London have now received their first dose of the jab, with over 3.3 million Londoners fully vaccinated after receiving two doses.

All adults can also book at one of the hundreds of vaccination centres, pharmacy or general practice sites across the capital that are available through the national booking service.

Text invitations appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’ and include a web link to the NHS website to reserve an appointment.

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

People aged 39 and under who are eligible and pregnant women will be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in line with updated JCVI guidance.

• Check which Covid-19 vaccination services are open near you: https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/our-work/covid-19-vaccination-programme-2/covid-19-vaccine-sites-in-london/