NHS London’s top doctor, Dr Vin Diwakar is calling for eligible adults to ‘not delay’ getting their jab this January as almost 30,000 Londoners are due to become eligible for their top-up dose in the next week.

Around 450,000 jab appointments for first, second and booster doses are still up for grabs in the coming week, as the Covid-19 vaccination programme continues to protect London against the virus.

Almost 16 million total doses including nearly 4 million boosters and third doses have been delivered to Londoners at vaccination sites across the city, including convenient locations such as high street pharmacies, shopping centres and places of worship.

London’s Medical Director, Dr Vin Diwakar, said:

“The best health advice I can give to Londoners as we start 2022 is to get boosted.

“We know that almost a third of eligible adults in London who have had their first two doses have not been boosted so I am urging them to not delay any further and book one of the 450,000 convenient appointments available in the capital this week.

“The more vaccinated you are, the more protected you, and those around you, will be.

“If you haven’t yet received your first dose, it’s not too late to start getting protected – so please do come forward now.”

The biggest and fastest vaccination rollout in NHS history has already delivered nearly 4 million boosters to people in London, giving them maximum protection against Omicron.

Two vaccination doses gives little protection against Omicron, with UKHSA data showing that a booster gives significantly more protection against severe disease and hospitalisation.

There are more than 400 vaccination sites operating across the capital ready to deliver that life-saving booster to those yet to come forward, as well as first and second doses.

Anyone eligible yet to have a first, second, third, or booster dose can book in online through the National Booking Service, getting your next dose if it has been at least three months since your last dose. You can have your vaccine if it has been more than 28 days since a positive COVID test.