The NHS in the South East is celebrating a bumper vaccination week, smashing a few notable milestones including the best day, week and Sunday in the history of its regional rollout. 

Across the region 154,738 jabs were administered on Saturday 18 December – the highest number in one day since the programme began in December last year. 

The total number of boosters given so far has reached 4 million and Sunday 19 December was the best one yet with 138,209 jabs in arms. 

Overall, the region has now delivered more than 17.5 million Covid-19 jabs since the biggest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS began and has seen its first round-the-clock site at the Saxonbrook Medical Centre in Crawley opening on Friday 17 December. 

Jabs available at more than 350 sites across the region include 1st, 2nd and 3rd doses where required, as well as boosters, and none of this would be possible without the incredible unwavering commitment and determination of staff and volunteers. 

The offer of a lifesaving Covid-19 vaccination is evergreen. Please come forward for your jab as soon as possible and as we fight the new Omicron variant the message is clear – Get Boosted Now. 

This weekend sites including Sandown Racecourse, Broad Street Mall, Reading, and St Mary’s Church Hall in Swanley helped in the effort to ensure people could get boosted before Christmas. 

Vaccinations have been delivered through a combination of large-scale vaccination centres, hospital hubs, GP surgeries and community pharmacies ensuring that we leave no-one behind.  

The NHS is continuing to appeal to anyone able to volunteer to support the vaccination programme to come forward because you can still help. Details can be found here. 

Caroline Reid, Regional Director of Commissioning and Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for the Covid-19 Vaccination programme for NHS England, South East, said: 

“NHS staff across the South East are once again pulling out all the stops to accelerate the NHS covid-19 vaccination programme, the biggest and most successful in health service history, and these figures show just how hard we are all working to get lifesaving jabs in arms. 

“This week alone we have seen new sites being stood up like a hospital gym in Basingstoke being converted into a vaccination centre; a 24-hour jabathon in Crawley; and long-standing vaccination centres and pharmacy’s extending their opening hours to late into the evening. We need everyone to play their part in the national mission to protect the country and the public can help by booking their jab online to avoid disappointment.  

“We’ve seen more people come forward for their first and second dose than ever before as well and have an evergreen offer in place – so if you haven’t had any vaccine at all do grab your jab today.  

“The data clearly shows that getting boosted gives maximum protection against the new variant so please book your slot online as soon as possible and guarantee your vital jab.” 

The best way to get your jab is to book an appointment via the National Booking Service at www.NHS.uk where new sites are being added all the time. All adults over the age of 18 are now eligible for their booster vaccination.