Over 52,000 people in the Midlands (26,428 in the East Midlands and 26,554 in the West Midlands) have booked their COVID-19 Spring booster since the NHS began rolling out the new vaccinations just a week ago.

People aged 75 and over and those with weakened immune systems are eligible for the vital extra boost the vaccination provides. Once invited by the NHS, people will be able to book their appointment through the national booking service or by calling 119.

In line with new advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the NHS COVID-19 vaccination programme will contact people when it is their turn to be vaccinated.

In the Midlands, 115,685 people have already had four doses of the COVID vaccine, and 5,967,123 people have had three doses.

Roz Lindridge, Director of Commissioning at NHS England and NHS Improvement in the Midlands, said:

“The NHS has sprung into action with Spring boosters and it is fantastic that over 52,000 people have booked in for that vital extra top-up in the first week.

“The people who qualify for the boosters are those who are most at risk of developing severe COVID-19.  They are also the people who will have had their most recent vaccines the furthest time ago, meaning the immunity they gained from it may not provide enough protection for any future peaks or variants.

“Currently, we are seeing increasing hospital admissions and rising COVID-19 cases. So, it’s vital that everyone who is eligible comes forward for their vaccination as soon as they are invited. I’d also like to remind everyone that it’s not too late to come forward for your first, second or first booster doses.”

Eligible groups for Spring boosters include care home residents, people who are 75 and over and those who are immunosuppressed aged 12 and over.

Local NHS teams will be contacting care homes as they have done previously to arrange for Spring boosters for people who are eligible and have been invited.

The NHS has made it easier than ever for immunosuppressed people to get their boosters – they can now show they are eligible by providing either a letter from a GP team or specialist inviting them for a vaccine, a hospital or GP letter about their medication or treatment, or a prescription or medication box with their name and date on it.

It is still important for severely immunosuppressed people who have been advised to have a 3rd primary dose, for example those undergoing cancer treatment, to get this before getting a booster, for maximum protection from COVID-19.

Across the Midlands there is an ‘evergreen’ offer for COVID-19 vaccinations meaning anyone who has not yet been vaccinated is able to come forward at any time to start their vaccinations. Those who are eligible can now use the NHS online walk-in finder to find the most convenient site to get their first, second dose or booster without an appointment. People who are eligible can also book an appointment at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination/ or by calling 119.