Eligible people in the Midlands who have yet to receive their seasonal booster have until 12 February 2023.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has now advised that, thanks to the success of the programme, the offer of an initial booster dose should end when the current autumn campaign ends, which will be on Sunday 12 February.

Anyone yet to come forward for their COVID booster is being urged to do so before the end of the campaign.

The Government has accepted the JCVI advice, which recommends that the booster offer for all 16 to 49-year-olds who are not considered at risk should end at the same time as this autumn’s campaign.

This means that Sunday 12 February will be the last chance for anyone who has been invited for a COVID booster to take up their offer, until future campaigns are agreed by JCVI and Government.

It comes as the JCVI is recommending moving to a more targeted offer to those considered to be at risk of serious illness.

There are currently 1,193 patients in the Midlands with COVID-19 in hospitals with 1,482 cases in the East Midlands and 1,650 in the West Midlands recorded over the last seven-day reporting period.

While more than 3.3 million people have had their COVID-19 seasonal booster, there are still a number of eligible people who are yet to take up their winter vaccinations and are therefore at increased risk of serious illness.

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

“I would urge everyone who is eligible and not benefited from the seasonal COVID booster or 2021 booster to come forward and get protected ahead of the 12 February deadline. We have plenty of bookable appointments, as well as walk-in clinics offering COVID jabs in convenient community locations.

“COVID-19 remains very dangerous and even life threatening for some, especially older people and younger people with long term health conditions.

“The good news is that the vaccination reduces the chance of people suffering from the serious effects from COVID. The seasonal booster protects against Omicron variants as well as the earlier COVID variants. So, by getting boosted people can recharge the protection offered by earlier COVID vaccinations. The vaccine is still the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

The vaccine has been rigorously tested to the highest safety standards and is continuously monitored for safety. It has been tested on tens of thousands of people across the world – men, women, people of different ethnicities and ages – as well as given to millions more.

People can book their latest COVID-19 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.