More than one million people in the North East and Yorkshire have received their COVID-19 booster jab, as the NHS vaccination programme continues to protect those most at risk from coronavirus.

The NHS launched its COVID-19 vaccination booster programme on September 16, following advice from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Nationally, more than six million additional doses of the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine have been delivered to those eligible.

Dr Yvette Oade, NHS Clinical Lead for the Covid vaccination programme for North East and Yorkshire (pictured), said reaching 1 million booster vaccinations was a significant milestone.

“It’s highly encouraging to see thousands of people across our region are booking their appointments every day to help build our wall of defence against Covid,” Dr Oade said. “The vaccine provides really important protection against the virus for you and your family.”

Dr Oade urged people who receive an invite to come forward for their top-up jab.

‘We know that just under half of those eligible for their booster vaccine in the North East and Yorkshire have still to come forward for their jab. I urge them to get protected as soon as possible,” she said.

“Once you receive your letter or text, or if it’s been six months and one week since your second dose, get online or ring 119 to book your jab – it will protect you and those around you against the virus.”

The NHS is vaccinating in line with guidance set by the JCVI which says that eligible groups can have a booster shot, a minimum of six months on from their second jab for maximum protection.

Dr Oade added: “One of the most important things you can do, as we go into the winter mon

ths, if eligible, is to book your booster and flu vaccine to strengthen your immunity, reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and stop yourself getting seriously ill. The message is simple: get vaccinated, get boosted, get protected.”

If it has been longer than six months and one week since you had your second vaccine dose, and you are eligible but haven’t been contacted, please book your appointment on www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or if you can’t use the website, by calling 119.

There are more clinics delivering vaccines now than at any other point in the programme, including pharmacies, GP practices and other convenient community sites. Almost every person registered with an English GP practice lives within 10 miles of a fixed vaccination location.

Those who are eligible for a booster at least six months on from their second dose include:

• those living in residential care homes for older adults
• all adults aged 50 years or over
• frontline health and social care workers
• all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 (as set out in the green book), and adult carers
• adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals.

In total more than 13 million vaccines have already been delivered in the North East and Yorkshire since the NHS launched its vaccination programme last December.