The NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Programme has vaccinated more than 31,000 older adult care home residents in the South East in just three weeks of the campaign going live – over half of those eligible.

Roving teams of NHS staff have visited more than 1,200 of the 2,000 plus care homes planned to be visited as part of the campaign which launched on Monday 3 April.

According to the latest unaudited data, 31,911 care home residents have taken up the offer – 53.9% of those eligible.

NHS teams will continue to visit the remaining older adult care homes in the coming weeks and months to offer protection to all those eligible.

In total, the NHS has administered more than 236,000 spring vaccinations across the South East in just over a week since the offer was first made available outside of care homes.

More than one million people in the region are eligible for the spring jab in line with JCVI guidance, which includes people 75 and over, those aged five and over with a weakened immune system, and care home residents.

It is the first time that thousands of eligible people have been sent their invites through the NHS App, where they can also book an appointment, as the NHS continues to expand its technological capabilities.

Text messages and letters will also be sent to those without the app or not actively using it. There are over 170,000 appointments available over the next two weeks in the South East.

Olivia Carmichael Programme Director for the Covid vaccination programme for NHS England South East, said: “It’s great that over 236,000 people have taken up the offer to have their spring covid jab in the region, which includes over 31,000 older care homes residents.

“This week alone, we’ve had over 40,000 bookings with thousands more booked in for the coming week.

“However, there are still thousands of slots available over the coming weeks so I would encourage people who have been invited for their jab to come forward.

“If you believe you are eligible for a vaccine but do not get invited by the NHS, you can check online. Alternatively, you can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site.”

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said: “The highest hospital admission rates for Covid-19 continue to be among the over-75s, so it is important everyone in this age group keeps their immunity topped up by coming forward for their spring booster.

“The virus has not gone away and we continue to see thousands of cases reported every week, so topping up your protection is particularly important for groups who are more vulnerable.”

This latest vaccination is being offered to those considered most at risk, following advice from the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation. Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose.

The last spring vaccination appointments will be offered on 30 June.

Covid-19 vaccinations for everyone who was aged 5 on or before 31 August 2022 will also end after that date, following recent advice from the JCVI. After 30 June, the NHS offer will become more targeted to those at increased risk, usually during seasonal campaigns.