People in the East Midlands are being urged to have their second COVID-19 jab as soon as possible so they can get maximum protection from the virus and to protect themselves and their local communities

Hundreds of thousands of text messages were sent last week by the NHS COVID vaccination programme encouraging people to get their second jab eight weeks after their first, in line with updated guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). It is now eight weeks since adults over 30 were invited to get their first dose of the life-saving vaccine.

People can book in online and get an earlier appointment, with staff introducing thousands more slots to ensure everyone can get jabbed after eight weeks.

Over 5 million people in the East Midlands have already had both doses of the vaccine, since the NHS made history when Margaret Keenan received the first jab outside of a clinical trial in Coventry.

Trish Thompson, Director of Primary Care and Public Health Commissioning with NHS England and NHS Improvement which is responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said:

“Now that restrictions have been lifted, there has never been a more important time to get jabbed and it has never been easier. From pop up sites in the community to walk in centres, NHS staff in the East Midlands are going to great lengths to ensure vaccines are as convenient as possible.

“We know protection lasts for much longer with both doses. The vaccines have been through extensive testing and are safe, but one dose won’t give you full protection. The most effective protection comes from having both parts of the vaccine, so please do bring forward your appointment for your second jab.”

Guidance on second doses was updated by the government on 5 July to ensure everyone has the strongest possible protection from the Delta variant of the virus.

Previously, an eight week interval was only recommended for those aged 40 and over, while younger people had to wait at least 12 weeks for their second vaccine.

The push comes after recent stats show that more than 250,000 East Midlands people aged 18-24 have now had a first dose, over four weeks after the programme opened to that age group.

All adults can book at one of the vaccination centres, pharmacy or general practice sites across the country 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.