More than 110,000 COVID-19 vaccinations were given across the Midlands yesterday (Tuesday 14 December) as the NHS and the public respond to the accelerated vaccine campaign.

With in excess of 111,473 (and more than 100,000 boosters) jabs administered on Tuesday, the record day saw a huge 66% increase on the previous Tuesday, and the most vaccines given on any weekday in the Midlands since the start of the vaccination programme just over a year ago.

More than 430,000 vaccine appointments have been made across the region for this week (Mon 13 to Sun 19 December), with the vast majority for booster vaccines. In addition to the bookings, some sites are also providing walk-in opportunities, and many people are receiving their jab through their GP surgery adding to the overall number of jabs that will be given this week.

The NHS is accelerating the booster programme in a drive to offer all adults a top-up jab by the end of December, due to the increased spread of the new COVID variant Omicron across the Midlands.

The NHS across the Midlands is working at pace to add more vaccine capacity including adding new sites and extending opening hours, including 24-hour jabbing in the Artix Theatre in Bromsgrove, and at the MW Phillips Chemist on Shady Lane in Birmingham. New sites will be opening including at the Jaguar Land Rover site in Solihull (initially for staff and their families) and at Millennium Point in Birmingham City Centre. In some parts of the Midlands Fire Stations are also opening as vaccination sites as part of the increased push.

From today (Wednesday 15 December), every eligible adult can book their booster as the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme seeks to protect the nation from the new Omicron strain of the virus.

People aged 18 to 29 can now use the national booking service to make an appointment to get their jab at one of thousands of centres across the country. Every adult is eligible for a jab three months after their second following updated guidance from the JCVI on 29 November.

All eligible adults across the Midlands are encouraged to come forward for their booster vaccine to ensure they have maximum protection against the virus.

Anyone in the region who has not had their first or second dose is also encouraged to book an appointment as soon as possible.

Alison Tonge, the NHS England and NHS Improvement director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said:

“We are delighted that we have just witnessed our best weekday ever, and that already more than 430,000 vaccine appointments have been made across the Midlands this week- it is fantastic to see such a positive response from the public so far.

“Across the region we are once again pulling out all the stops to vaccinate as many as people as possible and at speed. I want to thank all the NHS staff and vaccination centre volunteers across the Midlands who are making huge efforts to ensure that there is a significant increase in the number of appointments available.

“We need everyone in the region to play their part and continue to come forward and book their vaccine through the national booking service.

“The data is clear – getting boosted is our best hope of protecting people against the new variant so please book your slot online and guarantee your vital jab.”

The NHS has set out plans to accelerate the booster programme, which includes opening extra pop-up vaccination centres and extending opening hours to offer more jabs to more people across the Midlands to meet the end of December target.

People can get their vaccine by booking online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-COVID-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/  or by calling 119, and GP practices are likewise inviting those who are eligible.

Walk-in vaccination sites are also available across the Midlands and people can use the NHS online walk-in finder to find the most convenient site for them without an appointment.