Book-Your-Jab as over 180,000 vaccine appointments available across the South East this week
With over 180,000 booster jab appointments available over the coming days (12-16 Jan), NHS England’s top doctor in the South East is encouraging people to get boosted without delay.
The message comes as staff and volunteers on the NHS Covid Vaccination Programme continue to work tirelessly to protect the country against the Omicron variant of the virus.
Over 70,000 people across the South East have already booked their jab between today and the end of the week, however over 30,000 slots a day are still up for grabs, up to and including Saturday, and anyone who is eligible for their booster is urged to come forward.
In addition to vaccination centres, pharmacies and GP surgeries continuing to offer the vaccine at great speed, either via pre-booked appointments or walk-ins, NHS organisations within the South East are offering up other options such as a roving vaccination model at fire stations in Hampshire Isle of Wight this week and a vaccination bus in Slough.
Dr Vaughan Lewis, Medical Director for NHS England South East, said: “The response we have had for the booster programme across our region has been phenomenal, with over 5 million people now protected. However, we know that there are still others who are eligible for their booster and I strongly encourage them to come forward without delay.
“The NHS Covid Vaccination Programme has pulled out all the stops to bolster capacity with more than 180,000 appointments available over the next week.
“I’d like to remind everyone who booked a booster six months after their second jab that they can still go online and bring that appointment forward to three months to get that all important top-up as soon as possible.
He added: “The sooner you’re boosted, the sooner you’re protected.”
Nationally, nearly 30 million boosters have now been given in England, with over 90% of those eligible aged 50 and over boosted giving them maximum protection against the new variant.
NHS staff and volunteers went over and above throughout the festive period, delivering jabs on Christmas Day and giving more than a quarter of a million boosters over New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and 2 January.
Anyone yet to have a first, second or third dose can book in online through the National Booking Service if it has been three months since your last dose. You cannot have your vaccine if it has been less than 28 days since a positive COVID test.
The NHS is also urging families to get their children protected against the virus by booking one of around half a million appointments available for that age group this month.
Over 1.4 million young people aged 12 to 15 have had their first dose since the vaccine was rolled out to this age group in September, but there are still more than 1 million yet to get the jab.
Michael Tibbs made history as the first and oldest to receive the Pfizer jab in the South East of England on 8 December 2020. Since then, more than 18 million vaccine doses have been delivered across the region, including 1st and 2nd doses, boosters and 3rd doses.