Invitations to book a Covid-19 booster jab will be sent to 1.5m people this week as the NHS vaccination programme enters a new phase ahead of winter.
Texts allowing people to arrange a top-up through the National Booking Service will start going out today (September 20), with letters also being sent later this week.
Those who have had their second vaccine at least six months ago are eligible for the booster jab to increase their protection.
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme, said: ‘The NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme has already prevented 24 million cases and saved more than 112,000 lives.
‘As we head into winter we should not drop our guard so I would urge everyone to come forward and get a booster vaccination when then they are invited.
‘Getting a top-up vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from this cruel virus.’
Health and social care secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘It is excellent that getting your booster jab has now become even easier thanks to the opening of the National Booking Service to those eligible.
‘Booster doses are an important way of keeping the virus under control for the long term and will protect the most vulnerable through the winter months.
‘I urge everyone who receives a letter or text to get their jab as soon as possible so we can strengthen the wall of defence across the country that each vaccine brings.’
The booster jabs invitations follow fresh guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation last week.
The first booster jabs were delivered less than 48 hours after it was issued.
Once they receive their invite, people will be able to book an appointment online at one of the convenient vaccine sites across the country. People that aren’t able to go online can book by phoning 119.
Health bosses say millions of invites are set to be issued in the coming days and weeks.
Booster jabs are effective for topping up protection for people who have had both of their jabs and are at least six months after their second dose.
Hospital hubs have already started vaccinating frontline health and care workers as well as identifying other eligible patients for their booster vaccine with GP-led local vaccination services already contacting eligible patients.
In line with JCVI advice, people should receive either one dose of the Pfizer vaccine or half a dose of the Moderna vaccine, which means for some people their booster dose may be different from the vaccines they had for your 1st and 2nd dose.
People could also be offered a booster dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine if they cannot have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.
Local health teams will prioritise care home residents and staff who are eligible and offer a booster jab by the beginning of November.
Those who are eligible for a booster include:
The health service and partners will also begin vaccinating children aged 12 to 15 in line with UK Chief Medical Officers advice shortly.
More than 2,000 sites have taken part in the largest vaccination programme in NHS history since it launched including mosques, cinemas, and sports grounds.