The NHS COVID-19 autumn booster campaign in the Midlands has now provided extra protection to over three million people in the region.

The Midlands is the first region in England to hit the milestone and has achieved 3,003,647 of the country’s total vaccinations of 15,363,515.

So far, over 853,858 autumn booster appointments in the East Midlands and over 787,604 appointments in the West Midlands have been booked since 12 September. Many more people are getting their vaccinations through Walk-in Clinics.

People aged 50 and over, the severely immunosuppressed and frontline health and care workers are being urged to get vaccinated without delay ahead of a potential ‘twindemic’ of COVID-19 and flu this winter.

The NHS is also rolling out this year’s flu vaccine, with eligible people able to get their flu and COVID jab at the same time depending on local system arrangements.

Eligible people can get their flu and COVID jab at the same time depending on local system arrangements. Currently, over 43% of people (over 3 million) in the Midlands have had their flu jabs.

There are more than 260 sites in the East Midlands and 348 sites in the West Midlands that are now offering COVID boosters – mainly community pharmacies and GP premises as well as a few bigger centres – so it should be more convenient than ever for people to get their vaccinations.

Roz Lindridge, the NHS England director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said:

“The incredible efforts of NHS staff in the Midlands have now ensured better protection for over three million people at higher risk of illness from COVID-19 this autumn.

“Now temperatures are dropping and people are spending more time indoors, the protection offered by their last vaccination will be reduced. So, all those who are eligible should get their booster to keep protection high. The important benefit this booster provides is that it protects against Omicron variants as well as the original COVID variants.”

People can book their latest dose through the national booking system or by calling 119. You can also get a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from a walk-in site without an appointment. People can find their nearest walk-in sites on the NHS website. 

In line with JCVI advice, those eligible for an autumn COVID booster this year include:

• residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• frontline health and social care workers
• all adults aged 50 years and over
• persons aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, as set out in the Green Book
• persons aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• persons aged 16 to 49 years who are carers, as set out in the Green Book.